If you're a Chicago Bears fan and you're not tuning into college ball today, you might be missing out on the guys who could actually help fix this roster in 2026. Yeah, 2026. Because if you think Ryan Poles and the crew are going to sit around and twiddle their thumbs waiting on Caleb Williams to carry this whole damn team, you're outta your mind.
Forget the quarterbacks for now — we're talking about the future dogs at linebacker, safety, offensive line, and yes, running back, because D'Andre Swift ain’t a forever answer. This list is about smart targets. Guys who fit the Bears' holes like a glove and won't cost top-5 capital. Let's get into it.
1. CJ Allen, LB, Georgia (vs Auburn, 7:30 PM ET)
Let’s get this out of the way: CJ Allen is a freak.
He’s not just Georgia’s next linebacker to get compared to Roquan Smith — he might actually be the best comp since Roquan left Athens. Allen’s sideline-to-sideline range is nasty. The dude racked up 76 tackles in 2024, finished second on Georgia’s loaded defense, and oh yeah — picked off a pass against Florida and broke up five more.
Matt Miller’s already got him pegged as the second-best LB in the 2026 class, and an NFC South scout called him a "wrecking ball." That’s the kind of chaos this Bears defense could use behind Edwards and Edmunds, especially as Edmunds starts costing more than he's contributing.
If Allen keeps trending the way he is, he could sneak into the first round, but he’s also exactly the type of high-floor, instant-impact guy the Bears love taking early Day 2. Tonight’s matchup vs Auburn is a chance to see him in the spotlight.
What to watch: Does he blow up screens? Can he hang in coverage? Is he the most violent dude on the field? You’ll know when you see it.
2. J.C. Davis, OL, Illinois (vs Ohio State, 12:00 PM ET)
You want some Midwest grit in the trenches? Here comes J.C. Davis.
Davis isn’t a sexy name. He’s not pancaking dudes on TikTok or making highlight reels with one-arm shoves. But he’s on the Senior Bowl Top 300 and built like a damn wall. With Braxton Jones on thin ice thanks to injuries and a looming contract situation, the Bears are going to need fresh blood at tackle — or someone who can swing inside and not be a turnstile.
Davis brings position flexibility, and he’s been battle-tested in the Big Ten. Going up against Ohio State today is his resume builder. If he holds up against that pass rush, people will start talking.
What to watch: Does he anchor vs bull rushers? Is he reaching second level defenders with control? Can he play both tackle and guard? If he checks those boxes, he’s climbing.
3. Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon (vs Indiana, 3:30 PM ET)
If the Bears don’t fix their safety situation soon, we’re going to be watching more wideouts streak untouched across the middle of the field like it's a bad rerun.
Enter Dillon Thieneman. Transferred from Purdue, now roaming Oregon's secondary like a hawk on speed. 104 tackles in 2024. Six INTs in 2023. And a double OT game-winner against Penn State that made every draft scout’s radar explode.
Bleacher Report’s Daniel Harms called out his range, his anticipation, and his ability to read QBs like a damn book. If there’s one guy on this list who feels like a Ryan Poles sleeper pick in Round 2, it’s Thieneman.
What to watch: Does he play center field with command? Is he communicating pre-snap? And how quick does he close on the ball? If he’s flying all over the field tonight, buy some stock.
4. Aidan Laughery, RB, Illinois (vs Ohio State, 12:00 PM ET)
We all love D’Andre Swift when he’s healthy and dancing around defenders — but let’s be real, his ability to do that this season is a damn question mark.
Aidan Laughery is the Big Ten’s best-kept secret. He averaged 6.1 yards per carry last season, and he's built like a mini-tank at 5'11", 200 lbs. He doesn’t just run — he glides, then finishes. His cutback game is filthy, and his vision is ahead of schedule.
Local kid from Gibson City, Illinois. You already know Bears fans would eat that narrative up. Mid-rounder? Maybe. But mid-rounders make noise in Ben Johnson’s offense. Don’t be shocked if this guy’s name gets real loud after today.
What to watch: Is he bouncing runs outside with patience? Can he pass protect? And how’s that top gear once he hits the second level?
5. Keon Sabb, S, Alabama (vs Missouri, 12:00 PM ET)
Let’s talk about another safety, because if the Bears trot out another secondary full of practice squad fill-ins next year, I might actually lose it.
Keon Sabb might not be a household name — yet — but multiple draft analysts are circling him as a perfect Bears target. Why? Because he’s the exact kind of DB Dennis Allen wants: long, fast, and smart. The Alabama product can line up all over the secondary, and he’s got that mix of physicality and awareness that screams NFL starter.
With Kevin Byard on the back nine of his career and Brisker’s long-term fit still kinda murky, Sabb gives Chicago the flexibility to patch those holes without overspending. He’s a likely second or third-rounder, which is where Ryan Poles tends to do his best work.
What to watch: Does he hold up in man coverage vs slot WRs? Is he triggering downhill in run support? And can he disguise his assignments well enough to bait Mizzou’s QB into mistakes? If the answer’s yes, keep his name on your board.
Final Verdict
The Bears are building a real core. But come 2026, they’ll need reinforcements. Safety is a glaring need with Briskers injury history. Linebacker depth will be crucial as Edmunds ages and Edwards becomes cap-flexible. And let’s not kid ourselves — this offensive line is still a damn work in progress.
Ryan Poles has shown he’ll go defense early (see: Gervon Dexter Sr., Tyrique Stevenson), but he's also not scared to grab value Day 2 guys that hit. Allen and Thieneman? Those are plug-and-play dudes. Laughery? Could be RB2 by training camp. Davis and Mauigoa? Long-term line solutions.
So yeah — if you’re watching college ball today, don’t just cheer for chaos. Scout for the future. Because the guys who shine today might be the ones dragging the Bears out of the NFC North basement in two years.
