The Chicago Bears welcomed seven new players to their roster during the 2026 NFL Draft, where there was an emphasis on speed, athleticism, scheme fit and best available.
That included some impact players in safety Dillon Thieneman, center Logan Jones, tight end Sam Roush, wide receiver Zavion Thomas, as well as some potential Day 3 steals in cornerback Malik Muhammad, linebacker Keyshaun Elliott and defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg.
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While it’s far too early to start evaluating general manager Ryan Poles’ fifth draft class before they’ve even hit the field, we’re taking an early look at this 2026 draft class, which has the potential to be another impactful one in the long run — especially with head coach Ben Johnson’s heavy influence.
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Bears HC Ben Johnson had perfect reaction to Dillon Thieneman pick
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 23: Dillon Thieneman of Oregon celebrates after being selected twenty-fifth overall pick by the Chicago Bears during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
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Bears HC Ben Johnson had perfect reaction to Dillon Thieneman pick
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 23: Dillon Thieneman of Oregon celebrates after being selected twenty-fifth overall pick by the Chicago Bears during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
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Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago’s new safety
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman is selected by the Chicago Bears as the number 25 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago’s new safety
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman poses on the red carpet before the 2026 NFL Draft at Point State Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Bears 2026 NFL Draft: Instant analysis of Chicago’s rookie class
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman is selected by the Chicago Bears as the number 25 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Coby Bryant had the best reaction to Bears’ pick of Dillon Thieneman
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 23: Dillon Thieneman of Oregon celebrates after being selected twenty-fifth overall pick by the Chicago Bears during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
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Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago’s new safety
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 23: Dillon Thieneman of Oregon arrives prior to the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
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Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago’s new safety
MADISON, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 05: Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Purdue Boilermakers fumbles a punt in the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on October 05, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
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Bears reveal rookie safety Dillon Thieneman’s jersey number
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 13: Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Oregon Ducks in action against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
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Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago’s new safety
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – NOVEMBER 29: Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Oregon Ducks reacts after beating the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
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Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago’s new safety
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 01: Terrance Carter Jr. #7 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders makes a catch defended by Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Oregon Ducks in the second quarter during the 2025 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on January 01, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago’s new safety
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 26: Dillon Thieneman of the Oregon Ducks speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Draft Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
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Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago’s new safety
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 27: Dillon Thieneman of the Oregon Ducks participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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Bears safety Dillon Thieneman outran Justin Jefferson in 40-yard dash
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 27: Dillon Thieneman of the Oregon Ducks participates in the 40-yard dash during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago’s new safety
EUGENE, OREGON – MARCH 17: Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Oregon Ducks looks on during Oregon Ducks Pro Day at Moshofsky Center on March 17, 2026 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)
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Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago’s new safety
Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) and Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Antonio Stevens (11) tackle Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Jack Lausch (12) Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, during the NCAA football game at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
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Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago’s new safety
Nov 2, 2024; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Northwestern Wildcats running back Joseph Himon II (6) is tackled by Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) during the second half at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
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Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago’s new safety
Nov 29, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) intercepts a pass against the Washington Huskies during the second half at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
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Bears earned ‘elite’ grade for Dillon Thieneman selection in NFL draft
Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman carries the ball as the Oregon Ducks practice on Jan. 5, 2025, at the Moshofsky Center in Eugene, Oregon, ahead of the Peach Bowl.
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Highlights of new Bears safety Dillon Thieneman
Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman, right, brings down Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton as the Oregon Ducks take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.
Here’s a round-up of all of our grades for each of the Bears’ seven selections in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon (Round 1, Pick 25)
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Dillon Thieneman in first round (No. 25)
The reason for the perfect grade is because general manager Ryan Poles never got anxious, never felt the need to trade up, and let Dillon Thieneman fall in their laps when he was frequently mocked to not be on the board leading up to the draft. Thieneman’s playmaking ability, excellence in coverage at the safety position, and even more, clean tackling ability will make him a Day 1 starter after being a first-round pick, barring any extreme circumstances. Chicago knew what they needed to get done, and they got a player who wasn’t expected to be there at their selection, it’s a win-win across the board for both sides.
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Grade: A+Logan Jones, C, Iowa (Round 2, Pick 57)
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Logan Jones
There were other options at the center position for Chicago, but they identified Logan Jones as their target and he brings a credible resume to the Windy City with a potential opportunity to compete for the starting job as a rookie. Jones took over Tyler Linderbaum at Iowa, no easy task, and went on to be a two-time First-Team All-Big Ten selection, and the aforementioned All-American for his stellar season this past year. The center position is one of the most important in Ben Johnson’s offense, and they wanted to make sure to bring in a player who could be there for the long run.
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Grade: B+Sam Roush, TE, Stanford (Round 3, Pick 69)
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Sam Roush
Sam Roush felt like an unnecessary choice, not because he’s a bad player but the tight end position was not one of need, and there were plenty of options available at other needs. Chicago had opportunities to bring in an offensive tackle, or edge rusher, potentially even a wide receiver if they wanted an offensive weapon, but they decided to bring in a guy who will be the third tight end on the depth chart from the start. Roush didn’t jump off the paper in box scores, and feels more as a short-field threat than a deep threat, but head coach Ben Johnson proved he knew what he was doing with the selection with Loveland last season, so only time will tell.
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Grade: CZavion Thomas, WR, LSU (Round 3, Pick 89)
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Zavion Thomas
The need for a receiver wasn’t as urgent as the need to address both the offensive and defensive lines, especially at the edge rusher spot. However, Zavion Thomas’ arrival to Chicago brings another element of speed that this coaching staff has said they wanted to improve on. He could be a very intriguing player for Ben Johnson to work with and implement in gadget or special packages on offense, especially given the arm talent of quarterback Caleb Williams. Thomas could also make a big impact in special teams, and putting him in a duo with the veteran Kalif Raymond will be interesting to see how Chicago’s special teams unit can improve in 2026.
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Grade: B-Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas (Round 4, Pick 124)
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select CB Malik Muhammad
Malik Muhammad’s stats don’t jump off the page, but it’s simply because that he was shutting down wide receivers and not allowing many opportunities against him. With the aforementioned Jaylon Johnson on the other side, and a revamped safety position, the Bears secondary has a good mixture of both highly talented coverage corners and ballhawk safeties, a mix that should help them limit the amount of big plays made by opponents this upcoming season. With limited options on the board on the defensive line, Chicago landed a player who definitely helps the secondary, an area of need this offseason.
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Grade: B+Keyshaun Elliott, LB, Arizona State (Round 5, Pick 166)
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Keyshaun Elliott
The grade is not indicative of Keyshaun Elliott’s talent, it’s the fact that the Bears take a player at a position that is filled with veteran talent and will be difficult for the rookie linebacker to crack the lineup. While starting jobs are not handed out to fifth-round talents, or most rookies for that matter, Elliott is going to have to earn his opportunity at playing time, likely on special teams, where he did not play in the college level. His talent is there, totaling seven sacks and 14 tackles for loss in the 2025 season, but it’s a pick that is a bit interesting given that the Bears have elected not to address the defensive line.
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Grade: B-Jordan van den Berg, DT, Georgia Tech (Round 6, Pick 213)
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Jordan van den Berg
It took quite a bit of time, but the Bears finally added on the defensive line and got a player who can contribute in the right situations, but he will certainly be a development project for the coaching staff. Jordan Van den Berg flew under the radar due to limited exposure, but broke out in a big way in his two seasons with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, where he had his best season in 2025, where he earned First-team All-ACC honors.
Grade: B
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Grading every Bears pick