We’re just three days away from the 2026 NFL Draft, and if everything goes as planned, the Chicago Bears will draft a bunch of future Pro Bowlers, while the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, and Green Bay Packers take bust after bust after bust.
That’s probably not likely, so we asked our guys to give us the one prospect they really hope doesn’t land with one of Chicago’s rivals, and here’s what we had to say.
Jacob Infante – I would not want to face Akheem Mesidor twice a year, so he’s someone I’m hoping ends up anywhere besides the Lions (the Vikings likely won’t take an edge rusher that high, and he won’t be available for the Packers in Round 2). If you’re drafting late in the first round, you’re never getting a flawless prospect, especially in this weaker class. Mesidor has reason for concern with his age and previous foot issues, but his tape is just as good as nearly any edge rusher in this class. He has such a deep arsenal of moves he can use to beat you, and there’s diversity in how he wins with finesse, power, or just raw speed. His NFL-ready level of physicality and high football IQ should make him an immediate contributor in the league.
Donald Gooch – Jeremiyah Love. If running backs were valued like quarterbacks, Love would be the undisputed 1(1) of this draft and perhaps the last five. I think he’s a better running back prospect than both Saquon Barkley and Bijan Robinson. I would be sick to my stomach if he ended up in Minnesota, listening to Simon and Garfunkel’s “Hello Darkness My Old Friend,” or somehow in Green Bay.
Jeff Berckes – Gennings Dunker, the ginger-mulleted offensive lineman from the University of Iowa, and an Illinois native. The NFC North has a history of drafting Hawkeyes, and it’ll be a bummer to see him in the division because he’s an absolute vibe. I haven’t heard any ties to the Bears, so I’m hoping he lands in the AFC somewhere, far away from the NFC North.
Bryan Orenchuk – Monroe Freeling, LT – If this cat slides to the Lions, I will be supremely disappointed. After losing Taylor Decker and finally struggling up front last year, the last thing we need is for them to reload at a premium position with another blue-chip talent for the next 10 years.
Gary Baugher Jr. – Keep Tennessee WR Chris Brazzell II out of this division if the Bears aren’t the ones to take him. Insane catch radius and ability to separate. He is an absolute monster over the middle of the field to boot. My biggest fear would be the Packers landing him.
Erik Duerrwaechter – USC, WR, Makai Lemon. People question his size, but he plays much bigger than his 5-11, 192-lb frame suggests. Perhaps the best receiver in contested catches this year, and will be a menace if he were to land within the division.
Josh Sunderbruch – DEF (Ohio State). This might be cheating, but there are about four guys from the defense of Ohio State potentially projected to go Round 1, and I just feel like any of them could cause problems for the Bears if they landed in a dangerous spot in the division.
Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. – Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman, who I hope can make it to the Bears at 25, has been mocked to the Minnesota Vikings at 18 quite a bit, and I’d rather they go in a different direction. I also hope Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez lands in the AFC if the Bears don’t snag him.
Now it’s your turn. Who is the one guy you want the Bears to avoid?