If you’ve watched the Chicago Bears over the past couple of seasons, you didn’t need a mock draft to tell you what the problem is. But now, Mel Kiper Jr. has said it anyway. And he said it loud.
In his latest 2026 mock draft, Kiper has the Bears selecting Zion Young with the No. 25 overall pick, an edge rusher meant to fix a problem that fans have been pointing out for months. Or more accurately, years.
The numbers are rather alarming
GettyEdge Rusher Zion Young
This isn’t some overreaction or fan driven narrative. The production simply hasn’t been there.
The Chicago Bears finished last season with just 35 sacks, tied for 22nd in the NFL and their 28.0% pressure rate ranked 29th.
Montez Sweat did pretty much everything he could, leading the team with 10 sacks and consistently drawing double teams. But beyond him? There was nothing offenses truly feared.
The hope was that Dayo Odeyingbo could be that complementary piece. However, he managed just one sack in eight games before an Achilles injury ended his season. And suddenly, the Bears found themselves right where they started… Searching for answers off the edge.
Kiper even pointed to something much bigger: “Despite struggling to find consistent quarterback pressure for a few years now, Chicago hasn’t used a top-50 pick on an edge rusher since Leonard Floyd went ninth in 2016.”
Nearly a decade of trying to patch together a pass rush through free agency, late round picks, and internal development. And it hasn’t worked. That’s why this Zion Young projection feels different.
Zion Young feels like the type of move fans have been waiting for
GettyEdge Rusher Zion Young
At Missouri, Zion Young produced 6.5 sacks and 46 pressures last season, but the numbers only tell part of the story… His game is built on power, effort, and a relentless motor (traits that tend to translate to the NFL level).
“I think NFL teams will be higher on Zion Young than media consensus.” NBC Sports’ Connor Rogers stated. “He’s big, tough, plays his butt off snap after snap and took a giant leap as a pass rusher [last] year. The Bears will love that he’s built for all three downs, while ascending at getting after the quarterback.”
More importantly, he plays with urgency. And that’s exactly what this defense has been missing for years. Pairing Zion Young with Montez Sweat would create a legitimate edge duo, something the Bears haven’t had in years.
With Gervon Dexter continuing to develop inside and the additions of Neville Gallimore, Kentavius Street, and James Lynch, there are already signs of improvement in the interior. But none of it fully clicks without a second edge presence. That’s the missing piece.
Bears fans have been saying it. Watching it. Frustrated by it. But now, Mel Kiper has finally put those feelings into words.
The Chicago Bears need to finally prioritize an edge rusher. And if Zion Young is the answer at No. 25, it won’t feel like a surprise. It’ll feel overdue.
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