The Chicago Bears came away with a draft haul with a single theme that connected all the picks.
Athleticism.
These three graphics do a lot of work to help paint the picture of what the Class of 2026 brings to the table for Chicago’s football team:
Which NFL teams had the most athletic draft classes in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The @ChicagoBears, @BuffaloBills, @Raiders, @49ers and @Saints each averaged an 80+ NGS athleticism score across their first seven picks.
See the full list at https://t.co/KG7TomIZYW powered by @awscloud pic.twitter.com/nARzxYSclE— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) April 25, 2026
Well, that’s nifty… https://t.co/FiWlpeac9D
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) April 26, 2026
The age old debate pic.twitter.com/tye8SfsHv6
— Steven Patton (@PattonAnalytics) April 26, 2026
Chicago Bears 2026 NFL Draft Haul Deemed Most Athletic
Seeing the Chicago Bears at the far end of a chart that captures the essence of a draft class of prospects heavy on traits and light on production makes for something to consider and discuss throughout the rest of the offseason.
The Bears emphasized speed and athleticism throughout the 2026 NFL Draft. In a vacuum, I like that this front office made upgrading in that department a priority. Among the many things that stuck with me late in the season, while the Bears were making their playoff push, was how they were constantly outclassed by opposing skill-position players who were faster and more athletic. Games against the 49ers, Lions, Packers, and Rams stand out as ones that had me wishing this team could inject a healthy dose of speed. Perhaps it was with that in mind that Chicago’s football team added speedsters all over the defense this offseason.
HOW THE BEARS REBUILD THEIR DEFENSE IN FREE AGENCY
Think about the things the Bears got done this offseason. Free agency was headlined by the additions of safety Coby Bryant and linebacker Devin Bush, a pair of defenders whose speed allows them to cover a ton of ground and account for every blade of grass on the defensive side of the ball. Those additions should look even better with safety Dillon Thieneman and cornerback Malik Muhammad. Two more defenders whose calling cards are speed and violence should raise the defense’s floor in 2026. And the ceiling will feel limitless if the coaching staff can get the most out of this group.
Mandatory Credit: Aaron E. Martinez/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
On the whole, I like what the Bears did by adding speed and athleticism to their team. It was much-needed after the season we just witnessed. Addressing a problem spot now should get them up to speed (no pun intended) with the rest of the league. However, I am curious to know how much it will matter in the grand scheme of things.
Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson clearly values it when it comes to the players operating in his offense. Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen’s units have traditionally thrived with fast and toolsy defenders. But high test scores and blazing speed can take you only so far. And while I like the players Chicago’s front office drafted. They have alluring traits. It should go without saying, but I’ll say it anyway: It is better to be more athletic than less. But loud tools will go quiet if they can’t translate into on-the-field production.
The Chicago Bears can boast that their 2026 NFL Draft class haul was the most athletic. All things being equal, that is pretty cool. But how much does it matter? I guess we will start finding out when games of consequence kick off in September. Ben Johnson, Dennis Allen, and the coaches in all three phases of the game have their work cut out for them this season. I look forward to seeing what they can do with the players they brought in to help take a team that won 11 games in the regular season and advanced to the NFC Divisional Round last season.
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