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Ryan Poles finally gives Chicago Bears fans something they've been begging for in latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft projection

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Kole Noble | Last updated Oct 9, 2025 11:51 AM ET

Since being hired as the general manager of the Chicago Bears in 2022, Ryan Poles has selected just two pure edge rushers in the NFL Draft.

In his first draft class, Poles selected Dominique Robinson with the 174th overall pick in the fifth-round. In the 2024 NFL draft, Poles traded back into the draft to select Austin Booker with the 144th overall pick in the fifth-round. That's it. Just two fifth-round pure edge rushers.

As training camp starts, here's a look at how Ryan Poles has spent his draft capital through 4 drafts. Everybody on a rookie contract was drafted by him. Positions with the best (WR, OT, CB) and worst (IOL, DE, LB) depth pretty much line up with draft investment. pic.twitter.com/nVH323cKBD
— Johnathan Wood (@Johnathan_Wood1) July 20, 2025

Granted, you could include the trade that sent a second-round pick to the Washington Commanders in exchange for Montez Sweat, but it's clear a top pass rusher hasn't been a priority to the team's top decision-maker and it's showing on the field.

Through four games in 2025, the Bears are tied for the fewest sacks in the NFL and don't have a single player with more than one sack. Starting defensive ends Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo are struggling to consistently win one-on-one opportunities and the only rotational players trying to help have been Robinson and Tanoh Kpassagnon. Although the team is hoping for some boost when Booker returns from the injured reserve, hopefully as soon as Week 6.

Looking at the books for the 2026 season, Poles' lack of investment off the edge is clear considering only Sweat, Odeyingbo, and Booker are currently under contract. Which is why the latest mock draft from A to Z Sports finally had Poles making a move fans have been begging for.

Bears select DE Keldric Faulk in latest 2026 Mock Draft

"Offensive tackle is the default for the Bears, but getting help for Montez Sweat is also a priority. Faulk is an explosive player who offers the size that Dennis Allen craves for his 4-3 defense, including being a very good run defender." - Tyler Forness, A to Z Sports

Auburn's Keldric Faulk is easily the most intriguing athlete in the upcoming edge class.

6-6, 285 pounds. Only 19-years old still. All the tools to be a Top-3 pick pic.twitter.com/KJNg8rYXBM
— Mike Renner (@mikerenner_) July 24, 2025

It's still early in the draft process and draft experts still seem to be conflicted on Keldric Faulk's potential range. Mike Renner, for example, believes Faulk has the tools to be a Top-3 pick in April's draft but Forness had the Bears landing him with the 16th overall pick, which would be a steal.

As Forness mentioned, Faulk is the prototypical Dennis Allen edge rusher based on his size and speed, but his most attractive trait is his age. Faulk is still a very young player and landing in Chicago rotating behind Sweat and Odeyingbo would be the ideal spot for him to grow into a top edge rusher.

A first-round selection is definitely in the future for Faulk after the 2025 season and with more quarterbacks standing out in the draft process, a team like the Bears could take advantage of a top pass rusher, or even offensive tackle, sliding down the board. This would be the ideal scenario.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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