Are the Chicago Bears ready to make a bold move in the 2026 NFL draft? With the #25 pick in the first round, the Bears are in a position to trade up for a player who could be a game-changer. But here's where it gets controversial: the Bears have never traded up in the first round under general manager Ryan Poles, and the question is, are David Bailey or Rueben Bain Jr. worth the risk?
Bailey, a pass rusher from Texas Tech, has dominated college football with his quickness, agility, and flexibility. Some have compared him to Nik Bonitto, the Denver Broncos' star edge rusher. However, his size (6'3, 250 lbs) is a concern, and many project him as more of an outside linebacker. On the other hand, Bain, a pass rusher from Miami, is a force to be reckoned with. He's violent, heavy-handed, and powerful, with more speed than you'd think. But his short arms (30-31 inches) could be a red flag for teams.
The average mock draft position for Bailey is around the 5th pick, with a good chance of cracking the top 5. Bain sits at the 9th pick, with a possibility of slipping out of the top 10. The Bears would need to offer up their 2nd round pick packaged with #25 to trade up, and based on trade value charts, the best they could probably do is the 15th overall pick. But is it worth it?
Given how badly the team needs a dynamic pass rusher and how good both Bailey and Bain were in college, the case for trading up is strong. However, the Bears have never given up more than a 2nd round pick for anything in a trade before, and it's uncertain how far down the board Bain will go. The question remains: are Bailey or Bain worth the risk?
As a football writer with over 15 years of experience covering the Chicago Bears, I've seen my fair share of draft day surprises. But this year, the Bears are in a position to make a bold move. Will they take the risk? Only time will tell. So, what do you think? Are the Bears ready to trade up for Bailey or Bain? Let us know in the comments!
