Draft History: The Last Five Players Selected for Each Chicago Bears Slot

Getting Ready for the 2026 NFL Draft

The countdown to the 2026 NFL Draft is upon us, and for loyal Bears fans, there's no better time to reflect on the past. Under second-year head coach Ben Johnson, the Chicago Bears have high hopes for their draft strategy this year with seven picks in the upcoming draft.

To understand what the team might do, it's crucial to look at trends from the past. In this article, I'll explore the last five players drafted at each of the Bears' seven positions, investigating how they can shape the franchise's future.

Round 1, Pick 25

• 2025: QB Jaxson Dart, New York Giants
• 2024: OL Jordan Morgan, Green Bay Packers
• 2023: TE Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills
• 2022: OL Tyler Linderbaum, Baltimore Ravens
• 2021: RB Travis Etienne, Jacksonville Jaguars

Looking here, Jaxson Dart represents the kind of quarterback the Bears think could lead them into a new era, especially considering the youth movement already underway.

Round 2, Pick 57

• 2025: OL Tate Ratledge, Detroit Lions
• 2024: LB Chris Braswell, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• 2023: OL John Michael Schmitz, New York Giants
• 2022: OL Luke Goedeke, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• 2021: WR Tutu Atwell, Los Angeles Rams

Notably, Tate Ratledge, as a cornerstone in the offensive line, could change the Bears' game by providing the necessary protection for quarterbacks.

Round 2, Pick 60 (from BUF)

• 2025: RB RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos
• 2024: S Cole Bishop, Buffalo Bills
• 2023: DB DJ Turner, Cincinnati Bengals
• 2022: CB Cam Taylor-Britt, Cincinnati Bengals
• 2021: LB Pete Werner, New Orleans Saints

While RJ Harvey brings fresh legs, both Bishop and Turner enhance the Bears' defensive prospects—something critical as they aim to solidify their secondary.

Round 3, Pick 89

• 2025: OL Wyatt Milum, Jacksonville Jaguars
• 2024: DB Tykee Smith, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• 2023: DT Kobie Turner, Los Angeles Rams
• 2022: LB Terrel Bernard, Buffalo Bills
• 2021: WR Nico Collins, Houston Texans

Exploring early draft rounds conveys essential insight into how teams build talent. Chicago has made efforts to diversify their draft choices, and the trend continues with selections like Wyatt Milum.

Round 4, Pick 129 (from LAR)

• 2025: LB Teddye Buchanan, Baltimore Ravens
• 2024: RB Isaac Guerendo, San Francisco 49ers
• 2023: DL Viliami Fehoko, Dallas Cowboys
• 2022: TE Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys
• 2021: WR Jaelon Darden, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Bears' motivation this round points toward their ongoing need for versatile players who can excel in various roles, maximizing depth and flexibility.

Round 7, Pick 239 (from PHI)

• 2025: RB Phil Mafah, Dallas Cowboys
• 2024: OT Josiah Ezirim, New Orleans Saints
• 2023: QB Max Duggan, Los Angeles Chargers
• 2022: LB Rodney Thomas II, Indianapolis Colts
• 2021: DE Jonathon Cooper, Denver Broncos

While late-round picks might seem like a gamble, they can be gold mines for potential and can pave the road for later stars. Chicago's final selections in the draft will likely mirror their need for young, enthusiastic talent that can shape their team culture.

Conclusion

Through this detailed breakdown, we can see that the Chicago Bears' draft picks have oscillated between risk and reward over the years. As they prepare for the upcoming draft, the decisions they make could significantly impact the team's trajectory.

Let's not forget, every pick is a chance to change the narrative. The Bears fans are eagerly waiting to see how these new rookies will step up and make their mark on the team.

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