B
Chicago Bears
Best value of the weekend goes to the Bears for Slaughter: B.
by Ian's pole ·
2026 NFL Draft
· 8 picks
· 5 steals
· 1 reaches
Somebody in Round 3, Pick 25 was going to get robbed, and it turned out to be the rest of the league. The Bears sat still while Jake Slaughter, the No. 58 name on the board, slid all the way to them, then sprinted to the podium.
If this class has a fault line, it runs straight through edge rusher. If McClellan pans out, nobody remembers the price. If not, this is the pick they hear about.
Solid rather than spectacular, and there is nothing wrong with that.
Pick-by-Pick
In the Round 1 slot they get a sideline-to-sideline linebacker, and a steal at that. A clean fit for the roster.
Olaivavega Ioane in pick No. 33 is a bargain the rest of the room will envy. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
A.J. Haulcy at Round 2, Pick 25 is a sensible buy, a touch better than market for the safety. A minor itch, scratched.
You do not let an offensive lineman like Jake Slaughter reach the 89th overall pick and blink. They did not. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
Steal is underselling it; Mike Washington Jr. at slot 91 is a heist with the alarm still ringing. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
A reach on Chris McClellan in the 129th pick; the board had better options right there. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
Nothing to complain about; Kaden Wetjen went a shade earlier than his grade, which is fine. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
They let TJ Hall come to them and pounced at No. 241. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.