Bears NFL Draft idea lands 6-foot-6 potential star

The Chicago Bears are coming off an exciting season, and the next chance to build on that will be the 2026 NFL Draft.

Chicago doesn't pick until No. 25, barring a trade, so some of the most exciting players will be off the board. 

That doesn't meant the Bears can't find someone who fits just right.

ESPN's Matt Bowen wrote a new article on Tuesday in which he examined his "favorite fits" for various NFL teams. For the Bears, he picked Missouri edge rusher Zion Young.

Young is 6-foot-6 and could add an element of youth to Chicago's defensive front.

"After signing three defensive tackles in free agency, the Bears can look to the edges of their front by taking Young to play opposite Montez Sweat," Bowen writes. "With his long frame, Young fits the profile of the defensive ends in coordinator Dennis Allen's system."

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While there's always the matter of college production versus NFL projection, Young definitely seems like a quality prospect.

"Young has the play strength and tackling range to set the edges versus the run game, which would upgrade a defense that allowed 5.0 yards per carry last season (fourth most in the NFL)," Bowen writes. "Young also has the physical traits to develop as a speed-to-power pass rusher; he had 6.5 sacks and 43 pressures in 2025."

The Bears have the offense figured out, it appears. Caleb Williams is a rising star with weapons all around him.

If the defense can keep up on its own side of the ball, Chicago could be very tough to beat in the years ahead.

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