Frequently Asked Questions
Who should the Bears draft to fix their interior run defense?
Kayden McDonald from Ohio State is the top choice at pick 25. He's a 326-pound nose tackle who posted a 91.2 PFF run-defense grade and was a unanimous All-American. He's built to eat double teams and immediately plug the Bears' biggest defensive hole.
How bad was the Bears' run defense in 2025?
The Bears gave up 5.0 yards per carry, making opposing running backs treat their A-gaps like an open tollway. The interior run defense turned Dennis Allen's scheme into a glorified sieve, forcing linebackers to fight off 320-pound guards on every snap.
Is Peter Woods from Clemson a realistic target for the Bears?
Peter Woods is likely a pipe dream for the Bears at pick 25. He's expected to go in the top 15 to teams like the Saints or Chargers. The Bears would need to trade up to get the freakishly athletic 315-pound defensive tackle who can run a sub-4.7 40-yard dash.
What happened to Andrew Billings and the Bears' current defensive tackles?
Andrew Billings is a free agent, Grady Jarrett is 33 and running on fumes, and Gervon Dexter showed flashes but can't carry the entire load alone. The defensive interior is essentially a ghost town that needs immediate reinforcement.
Who is Lee Hunter and why would the Bears consider him?
Lee Hunter is a 330-pound senior from Texas Tech who could be a Day 2 bargain pick. He gives you about 80% of what Kayden McDonald does against the run but at a lower draft cost, making him a solid plug-and-play replacement for Billings if the Bears go another direction in round one.