As we do every year, we take a look at the Bears’ first-round pick and the different positions the team needs, and what would make sense for the team to do. As a reminder, I will go through multiple positional cases for the 25th pick. Making the case does not necessarily mean I believe this is what the Bears should do; it simply lays out the reasons why this pick makes sense.
The Bears have some holes to fill, but if they don’t fix the middle of their defensive line, those other holes will seem pin-sized compared to the pit in the middle of the defense.
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The Bears were one of the worst run-stopping units in the league last year. You can add a safety, you can add a corner, heck, you can add an edge, but if you aren’t stuffing the run in between the tackles, you are going to get gashed.
Also, we all know, very clearly, that Dennis Allen is a big fan of interior pressure. He finds it far more important than getting to the quarterback off the edge. If Dennis Allen had his way, he would have guys who can collapse the pocket in the interior of his defensive line with elite run stuffers who can set the edge on the ends of his defensive line.
When you look at the team’s personnel up front, the Bears have some guys that can stop the run on the outside, mainly Montez Sweat. Sweat is a very good outside run stuffer, and while Dayo Odeyingbo didn’t show as much and Austin Booker still needs to improve in that area, they at least have one viable guy who is above average at his position on the edge.
Who is above average at their position at defensive tackle?
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The answer is none.
Gervon Dexter is entering the final year of his contract, and there have been no indications that the Bears plan to extend him. Unless he has a massive breakout season, this is Dexter’s final year in Chicago. Grady Jarrett, if he can wind the clock back to 2019 and become a game wrecker again, would be a fantastic piece in the middle. Unfortunately, Jarrett hasn’t had the same explosion the last couple of seasons and seemingly slowed another step in 2025.
If Jarrett bounces back, the defensive tackle room would certainly be in better shape, but unfortunately, there’s no reason to expect a significant bounce-back from the 33-year-old defensive tackle.
Shemar Turner? The Bears have no idea what they have at this point. Neville Gallimore? Rotational piece.
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The Bears need a defensive tackle to stabilize this defense, and they need one in the worst way.
Unfortunately for the Bears, this isn’t exactly a class loaded at defensive tackle, but there are two names to consider. Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald or Clemson’s Peter Woods.
McDonald could step in on day one and significantly improve the Bears’ interior run defense. He’s a true nose tackle and a disruptive one at that. He doesn’t have the interior pass-rushing chops, but he did make strides in that department in 2025. He is a run-stuffing beast who had 9 TFLs last season and can alter an offense’s run game approach.
If you want someone who probably fits more of what Dennis Allen wants, Woods is your guy. He’s a lighter DT who has shown that he can help collapse the pocket. He had an up-and-down college career, but that also may be a part of a very up-and-down Clemson team. With Woods, there is definitely a bet on potential that he can become that true disruptive 3T that Dennis Allen would love to have. He also shows a lot of skill in the twist and stunt game as both a rusher and a picker.
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The Bears need help at a few different positions, especially on defense, but if they don’t stabilize the middle of their defensive line, it could be another long season for the Bears’ defensive side of the ball.
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