April 15, 2026, 8:07 a.m. CT
The Chicago Bears struggled against the run last season, making defensive tackle a top priority for the 2026 NFL Draft.Several of the Bears’ current interior defensive linemen, including Gervon Dexter Sr., ranked poorly in run defense according to Pro Football Focus.Top draft prospects like Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald and Clemson’s Peter Woods could address the team’s needs in the trenches.Other potential draft options include players with impressive size like Caleb Banks and Christen Miller, who could be selected in later rounds.
The Chicago Bears have some big needs to address in the 2026 NFL Draft, and defensive tackle is certainly near the top of the list.
Last season was a rough one for the defensive interior, especially against the run. Giving up an average of 134.5 yards a game, their top interior defensive lineman, Gervon Dexter Sr., Â Grady Jarrett, and Andrew Billings, were among the worst in the league.
According to Pro Football Focus, Dexter Sr. had a run-defense grade of 44.0, ranking him at 107th out of 134 defensive tackles. Jarret was ranked 105 with a grade of 44.5, and Billings, after having a strong year against the run in 2024 before his injury, had a grade of 39.2, ranking him 117th out of 134 in 2025.
General manager Ryan Poles went out and signed Neville Gallimore and Kentavious Street to bring in depth, as Chicago will have Jarrett and Dexter back for the 2026 season. Still, the trenches remain a pressing need. Whether it’s in the first round at No. 25 or even in the second round, there are plenty of options for Chicago to beef up and build up the defensive trenches.
Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
Measurables: 6-foot-2, 326 pounds
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Named the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2025, Kayden McDonald is the ultimate run stopper. His size is the perfect build for an interior defender who uses leverage to get into gaps and locate ball carriers for stops behind the line of scrimmage. He has good change of direction quickness in a small space and can get past the center and guards.
McDonald isn’t a player that offers much pass-rush help and has been described as more of a rusher than a pocket collapser. He’s been compared to veteran DJ Reader, and for Chicago, this might work well. Dexter, last season had 7.0 sacks, and has improved as a pass rusher, meaning McDonald could complement him in short-yardage downs against the run.​
Peter Woods, Clemson
Measurables: 6-foot-3, 298 pounds
Peter Woods is far from reaching his ultimate potential, and his upside and versatility could entice teams to take a chance on Woods in the middle of the first round. Woods has pure strength and explosiveness that he plays with that allow him to put pressure on quarterbacks. He can line up as a 3-tech and excels in one-gap and has taken snaps in a lineup outside at the edge position.
Woods’ quick first step allows him to surprise tackles and get past guards. He has struggled getting through double-teams. As he fills into his frame and learns more technique at the next level, matched with his freakish athleticism, he could be someone Chicago takes a swing at. Woods’ NFL draft comparison has been linked to another former Clemson Tiger, Christian Wilkins.
Measurables: 6-foot-6, 327 pounds
Caleb Banks is another rare prospect who possesses a big frame with long arms. His explosive first step, combined with the long, heavy hands, allows him to win at the point of attack and drive through single blocks against centers and guards. Banks is rare in the case that he doesn’t have a designed pass rush plan. His length allows him to bat down balls at the line of scrimmage. Banks’ NFL draft comparison has been linked to Chicago’s Dexter as the two are both 6-foot-6, but Dexter is 15 pounds lighter than Banks.
When double-teaming, his high center of gravity allows the center and guards to win and control Banks at the line of scrimmage. His 2024 tape offers a much better outlook into his play. In 2025, Banks fractured his foot in training camp in August and only played in three games in 2025. Banks also suffered another injury (foot metatarsal) at the 2026 NFL Combine. He received surgery on March 9 and is projected to make a full recovery in June. It was the same injury that sidelined him for the majority of the 2025 season.
Christen Miller, Georgia
Measurables: 6-foot-4, 321 pounds
Christen Miller is a guy who is making scouts and GM’s watch a little extra tape. Projected as an early second-round pick, he isn’t mocked very much in the first round, but could bring big upside for a team that decides to trade back or early in round two. Miller, with his length, is able to quickly shed blocks and disrupt gaps in order to limit running backs’ ability to run through the tackles.
Miller is sturdy and is good at squaring his frame with his feet at the point of attack. His power allows him to strike with heavy hands and drive back centers and guards during one-on-one opportunities. Miller isn’t a better run stopper than a pass rusher and vice versa, but he’s solid, and plays with toughness, and with the opportunity to fill in his frame and build technique, it will be enough for teams to take a chance on him.
Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
Measurables: 6-foot-3 1/2, 318 pounds
Lee Hunter provides impressive size and girth to fill in the gaps especially when lining up over centers as a run defender. He fires off the ball and keeps low to balanced pad level, which leverages into contact. He displays good balance for a bigger guy, and during the Senior Bowl dominated with a bull rush.
Hunter relies heavily on his size or technique. He lacks feel and in taking down blocks, and lacks initial quickness to create early wins when asked to pass rush.
Domonique Orange, Iowa State
Measurables: 6-foot-2, 322 pounds
Domonique Orange is a guy Chicago could look to add in the second round with one of its two picks or in the third round, if he’s still available. He’s sturdy with a quick first step and reaction time that makes it difficult to gain leverage on. He has a good recovery instinct, and when he does get beaten initially is able to bounce back and win in the final rounds of his reps.
Orange brings long arms and big hands, and his sturdy frame makes him hard to move. He has shown to use his quickness and long arm reach to penetrate gaps, but his body control and lack of pass rush productivity leave him one-dimensional.
Gracen Halton, Oklahoma
Measurables: 6-foot-3, 293 pounds
Undersized is the thing you’ll likely hear when referring to Gracen Halton at just 293 pounds. He doesn’t he way more than most centers in the NFL, but with that, he brings traits that allow him to be slippery past centers and guards and tracks the ball. His active hands allow him to slip off blocks, and his loose upper body gives him the twist and bend to get around initially.
Halton has good closing speed to get home. He ran a 4.82 40-yard dash, but he does lack leverage at the point of attack, lacks mass/anchor, and his rush advantages could be shut down by athletic guards. Halton provided the pass rush capabilities, and his quickness and skinniness allow him to get into the backfield.
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