The Chicago Bears are sitting at pick No. 25 in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft - for now. History tells us GM Ryan Poles prefers to let the board come to him.
Since taking over, he’s shown a tendency to trade down rather than up, most notably in 2023 when he moved from No. 1 to No. 9, and then again to No. 10.
In the two drafts since, he’s stayed put, landing quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze in 2024, and tight end Colston Loveland last year.
But don’t mistake patience for passivity.
Poles has shown he’s not afraid to be aggressive when the moment calls for it. And coming off a playoff run that ended just short of the NFC Championship, the Bears may be one impact player away from making serious noise. According to sources inside Halas Hall, there are two players in this year’s draft class who’ve caught the attention of both Poles and the coaching staff - enough so that if either starts to slide, Chicago is ready to make calls and move up the board.
The names? David Bailey out of Texas Tech and Rueben Bain Jr. from Miami - two edge rushers who’ve spent the past few years terrorizing quarterbacks and stuffing stat sheets.
David Bailey: The Explosive Technician
Bailey wrapped up his college career with 29 sacks, 42 tackles for loss, and 10 forced fumbles over four seasons. His 2025 campaign was a breakout - 14.5 sacks and a highlight reel full of speed rushes, ghost moves, and spins that left offensive tackles guessing and quarterbacks running for cover.
What makes Bailey so intriguing is how well his game translates to the modern NFL. He’s twitchy off the edge, bends like a seasoned pro, and has a motor that doesn’t quit.
Scouts have drawn comparisons to Denver’s Nik Bonitto - a high-motor edge rusher who wins with speed, burst, and relentless pressure. Bailey’s tape is filled with the kind of reps that make defensive coordinators salivate.
The one knock? Size.
At 6'3", 250 pounds, he’s not undersized, but he’s not a physical freak either. That’s led some evaluators to project him more as a stand-up outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme rather than a hand-in-the-dirt edge in a 4-3.
But in today’s NFL, where versatility and sub-packages rule, Bailey’s skillset fits just fine.
Rueben Bain Jr.: The Powerhouse Technician
Then there’s Bain, the heart and soul of a Miami defense that powered its way to the national championship game. In three seasons, Bain racked up 20.5 sacks, 33.5 tackles for loss, and four forced fumbles. His game is all about controlled violence - heavy hands, explosive get-off, and the ability to win both inside and outside.
What sets Bain apart is his versatility. He’s not just an edge rusher; he can slide inside and create mismatches against guards, using his power and refined hand technique to collapse the pocket from multiple angles. Training under Hall of Famer Jason Taylor has clearly paid off - Bain plays with a veteran’s understanding of leverage, counters, and timing.
The only real concern? Arm length.
Reports peg him at 30 to 31 inches, which is shorter than ideal for an edge rusher. That could give some teams pause, especially when projecting him against NFL-caliber tackles with long arms and quick feet.
But Bain’s tape shows a player who consistently wins despite that limitation - and that speaks volumes.
Can the Bears Make a Move?
Here’s where things get tricky. Pass rushers don’t last long on draft night.
They’re the second-most valuable position in football behind quarterback, and teams rarely let top-tier edge talent slide. Bailey is averaging around the No. 5 spot in most mock drafts, with Bain hovering near No.
- That puts both firmly in the top 10 conversation - and well out of reach at No.
So how high would the Bears need to jump?
If Chicago packaged their second-round pick with No. 25, they might be able to climb as high as No. 15, based on traditional trade value charts. That probably won’t be enough to land Bailey, and Bain might not fall that far either. It would likely take more - maybe a future pick or a player - to move into striking distance.
That’s where things get interesting. Poles has never given up more than a second-rounder in any trade.
But this offseason feels different. The Bears are close.
They’ve got a young franchise quarterback, a strong supporting cast, and a defense that’s a few pieces away from being elite. If there’s ever a time to push the chips in and go get a game-wrecker off the edge, it might be now.
Are They Worth It?
Absolutely. Bailey and Bain are two of the most disruptive defensive players in this class. Both bring different flavors to the table - Bailey with speed and finesse, Bain with power and polish - but either would give the Bears a much-needed injection of juice off the edge.
Chicago’s defense took major strides last season, but it still lacked that one guy who keeps offensive coordinators up at night. If Poles sees a shot to land that guy, don’t be surprised if he breaks character and makes a bold move.
The Bears are knocking on the door. A pass rusher like Bailey or Bain might just be the one to kick it down.