Ryan Poles has taken his fair share of heat from Bears fans over the years - and some of it’s been warranted. Drafting Velus Jones Jr. in the third round?
That still stings. Zacch Pickens and Kiran Amegadjie haven’t exactly moved the needle either.
But while the misses are easy to point out, there’s a bigger-picture skill Poles has consistently shown that doesn’t always get the spotlight: He’s been remarkably good at playing the long game when it comes to the NFL Draft.
It’s not just about hitting on talent - it’s about timing. And Poles has quietly developed a knack for aligning his draft strategy with the projected strengths of future draft classes. That skill could pay off in a big way this April, as the 2026 draft class lines up almost perfectly with the Bears’ most pressing needs.
Let’s rewind a bit to see how this has played out.
In 2022, fans were clamoring for offensive line help early. Poles zagged, going with defensive backs Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker instead.
A year later, when the offensive tackle class was deeper, he landed Darnell Wright in the first round. That wasn’t just a reaction - it was a calculated move based on the depth and quality of that year’s class.
Then came the big one: the quarterback decision. The Bears had the No. 1 overall pick in 2023, and the pressure to draft a QB was sky-high.
But Poles held firm, traded down, and waited for what many believed would be a stronger quarterback class in 2024. That patience paid off when the Bears walked away with Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze - a franchise QB and a dynamic WR1 in one swoop.
Here’s how Poles’ draft decisions have lined up with the projected strengths of each class:
| Year | Projected Strengths | Notable Bears Picks |
|---|
| 2022 | EDGE, OT, CB, S | Kyler Gordon, Jaquan Brisker | | 2023 | EDGE, DT, WR, OT | Darnell Wright, Gervon Dexter |
| 2024 | WR, OL, QB, EDGE | Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze, Austin Booker | | 2025 | EDGE, RB, DT, TE | Colston Loveland, Kyle Monangai |
Now look at 2026. The early buzz says this class is strong at offensive tackle, safety, and edge rusher - all positions the Bears desperately need to address.
Let’s break it down:
- Left Tackle: The Bears don’t have one under contract right now. Braxton Jones and Theo Benedet are both free agents.
Ozzy Trapilo’s knee injury could keep him sidelined for the entire season. That’s a huge hole on the blind side.
- Safety: All four of the Bears’ top safeties - including veterans Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker - are free agents. That’s a full reset at a critical position.
- Edge Rusher: Montez Sweat is locked in, but the Bears still lack that second dynamic pass rusher to consistently pressure quarterbacks from both sides.
- Linebacker: Noah Sewell is hitting free agency, and Tremaine Edmunds could be a cap casualty. This class happens to be deep at linebacker, which plays right into the Bears’ hands.
It’s not that Poles predicted all of this. Injuries and contract situations are fluid. But there’s a clear pattern: He’s been building with an eye toward future classes, and 2026 is shaping up to be another opportunity for him to capitalize.
So what does that mean for the Bears’ approach in April?
History suggests Poles will go after the positions that offer top-tier talent early but drop off quickly - and that could point to offensive tackle or safety in the first round. The top of the safety class is strong, but the depth fades fast after the first four or five guys.
Tackles are a bit deeper into Day 2, but things get dicey by the fourth round. If you wait too long, you’re drafting on hope, not certainty.
That’s why edge rusher and linebacker could be better value plays in the middle rounds. There’s more depth there, and the Bears could find impact players without reaching.
Of course, the draft board has a mind of its own. If there’s a run on tackles and safeties in the first 20 picks, Poles might have to pivot.
Maybe that means grabbing an edge rusher earlier than expected. Maybe a defensive tackle rises up the board.
The key is flexibility - and Poles has shown he knows how to adjust without losing sight of the bigger picture.
Don’t be surprised if the Bears double up at one or two of these positions. That’s been part of the strategy before, and with so many needs aligning with the strengths of this class, it makes sense again.
The Bears aren’t just drafting for talent - they’re drafting with timing. And so far, Ryan Poles has shown he knows how to play that game better than most.