Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles may walk away from the Senior Bowl this weekend with a new edge rusher target in mind for the 2026 NFL draft.
Over the first two days of 2026 Senior Bowl practices, Missouri edge rusher Zion Young has begun to boost his draft stock with his dominant performances in individual drills, using his strength, power and relentless motor to impose his will on opposing linemen.
Poles also had a front-row seat to Young’s standout efforts in Day 1’s one-on-one drills between linemen, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer sports editor Devin Jackson.
“#Bears GM Ryan Poles was watching the OL/DL one-on-one reps,” Jackson wrote on X on January 27. “#Missouri EDGE Zion Young was one of the standouts. #Illinois OT JC Davis had a few good reps too.”
Could Bears Consider Zion Young at No. 25 Overall?
Young is a consensus top-50 prospect who recorded 6.5 sacks, 16.5 tackles for loss and 48 pressures in 13 games for the Tigers in 2025. While he needs to better develop his pass-rush toolkit and play at a lower pad level, he is a proven force against the run game and has the raw power and arm length to grow into an impact pass rusher in the NFL.
Would the Bears consider Young at No. 25 overall, though?
Unless they make an unforeseen addition during March’s free agency period, the Bears are highly likely to have an edge rusher on their radar for the first round of this year’s draft. They will expectedly have back all three of their primary edge rushers — Montez Sweat, Austin Booker and Dayo Odeyingbo — for the 2026 season, but the money they have invested across their defensive line makes it difficult to add more in free agency.
The Bears defense also struggled mightily to rush the passer in 2025, finishing in a tie with the Cincinnati Bengals for the worst pass-rush win rate (29%) in the league. Once again, they had trouble fielding a consistent partner opposite the veteran Sweat, which adds all the more pressure for them to find one in 2026’s positionally strong class.
Unfortunately for Young’s first-round candidacy, the Bears must sort through his off-field concerns before they take a top-25 risk on him. According to ABC 17 News, Young was charged with driving while intoxicated and speeding 11-to-15 miles over the speed limit earlier this month in relation to his December 13 arrest following a traffic stop.
At a minimum, the Bears have an extra layer of scouting to do on Young before giving a potential first-round investment consideration — or, really, even a Day 2 investment.
Ryan Poles Seems to Have Right Focus at Senior Bowl
Poles and the rest of his front-office scouts have some serious work to do this offseason to ensure their 2026 roster is in fighting shape, and not just at the edge rusher position.
The Bears could lose both of their starting safeties, Kevin Byard III and Jaquan Brisker, in free agency in about six weeks if they do not re-sign them to new contracts. They may also need to cut loose one or a few of their veterans to clear the necessary cap space to acquire upgrades, with candidates ranging from D’Andre Swift to Tremaine Edmunds.
As far as the Senior Bowl goes, though, Poles seems to have his eye on the ball, getting a closer look at what offensive and defensive linemen are available in this year’s draft.
The Bears need another edge rusher, but defensive tackle or left tackle could easily win out for Chicago in the first round. They received little production from veteran Grady Jarrett in 2025 on their interior and have Gervon Dexter Sr. entering a contract year. Meanwhile, left tackle Ozzy Trapilo will likely miss the start of 2026 with his recovery.
While the Senior Bowl is early in the pre-draft process, it should give Poles an early idea of which prospects to keep tabs on throughout the next few months, particularly when it comes to those that might appeal to them in the later rounds instead of on Day 1 or 2.
Bears’ Potential Top-50 Edge Rusher Target Shines in Front of GM