If there’s one thing the Chicago Bears can’t afford to overlook heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, it’s the pass rush. After a 2025 season that saw them finish 25th in quarterback pressures with just 189, according to Next Gen Stats, it’s clear that generating heat on opposing signal-callers has to be at the top of GM Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson’s to-do list.
Injuries didn’t help the cause. The Bears lost two key contributors in back-to-back weeks - rookie second-rounder Shemar Turner tore his ACL against the Ravens in Week 8, and Dayo Odeyingbo followed with a torn Achilles against the Bengals in Week 9. Both were expected to be part of the long-term solution up front, but their absences left a noticeable void in the front seven.
Poles has said he expects both Turner and Odeyingbo to be involved in some capacity during the offseason, but even if they’re ready to go by Week 1, the Bears know better than most: you can never have too many pass rushers.
That brings us to the latest 2026 NFL mock draft, where CBS Sports has the Bears grabbing Missouri edge rusher Zion Young with the 25th overall pick. And on paper, it’s a fit that makes a lot of sense.
Young checks a lot of the boxes the Bears look for on the defensive line - size, length, and the ability to set the edge. At 6-foot-5 and 262 pounds, he brings a blend of speed and power that’s hard to coach. He’s disruptive off the snap, uses his long arms to keep tackles off balance, and profiles as a strong-side defender who can hold up against the run while still getting after the quarterback.
Young’s journey to this point is a story of steady growth. After starting his college career at Michigan State, he transferred to Missouri and put together his best season yet in 2025.
He posted career highs across the board - 52 pressures, eight sacks, two forced fumbles, and 21 total tackles. Over four collegiate seasons, he racked up 106 total pressures and 14 sacks - numbers that showcase his consistency and ability to generate havoc in the backfield.
What stands out about Young’s game is how comfortable he is playing on either side of the line. In his senior year, he logged 509 defensive snaps, splitting time fairly evenly between the left and right edges. That kind of versatility is gold for a defensive coordinator like Dennis Allen, who values flexibility in his front four.
His best individual performance came in a 29-20 win over South Carolina, where he earned an 84.7 defensive grade from Pro Football Focus - the highest of his career. In that game, he tallied nine pressures and a sack, showing exactly what he can do when he’s locked in. He’s also flashed during practices at the 2026 Reese’s Senior Bowl, holding his own against some of the best offensive line talent in the country.
PFF currently ranks Young as the 47th overall prospect and the ninth-best edge rusher in this year’s class. That’s notable, considering how deep the edge group is in 2026. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah had eight edge defenders in his initial top 50 - a sign that teams looking for help off the edge will have options, but also competition.
For the Bears, the need is obvious. The injuries last season exposed just how thin the depth chart can get, and even with Turner and Odeyingbo expected back, adding a talent like Young could give this defense the kind of rotation it needs to stay fresh and aggressive deep into games.
Zion Young may not be a household name yet, but if the Bears do call his name on draft night, he could be the missing piece that helps this defense take the next step. The pass rush needs juice, and Young brings plenty of it.