The Chicago Bears continued their aggressive roster building on Friday night, adding three new players on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft. After drafting safety Dillon Thieneman in the first round on Thursday, general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson turned their attention to the trenches and the skill positions, selecting offensive lineman Logan Jones, tight end Sam Roush, and wide receiver Zavion Thomas.
The Bears entered Friday night with a significant amount of capital--four picks across Rounds 2 and 3. While they made three selections, they also preserved ammunition for what should be a busy Saturday. The Bears currently own four picks in Rounds 4 through 7, giving them ample opportunity to continue adding depth and addressing remaining needs.
Here's a breakdown of each Day 2 selection and what it means for the Bears moving forward.
Round 2, Pick 39: OL Logan Jones - Iowa
With their first pick of Day 2, the Bears went back to the Big Ten and selected Iowa offensive lineman Logan Jones. It's a pick that screams "Ryan Poles' philosophy" -- a versatile, tough, fundamentally sound offensive lineman who can plug in at multiple spots across the front.
Jones is listed as an offensive lineman, but his primary value to the Bears likely comes as an interior player. He spent time at both center and guard for the Hawkeyes, and his experience in a pro-style system at Iowa should allow him to compete for immediate playing time. The Bears have a solid starting five on paper--anchored by left tackle Braxton Jones, guards Teven Jenkins and Nate Davis, and center Coleman Shelton--but depth was a major concern entering the draft. Jones provides exactly that.
The selection also continues a trend for Poles: prioritizing the line of scrimmage. In his three drafts as general manager, he has invested heavily in both the offensive and defensive lines, understanding that games are still won in the trenches. Jones is not the flashiest pick, but it's a foundational one.
According to reports from the Chicago Tribune, the Bears valued Jones's football IQ and adaptability. He's the type of player who can step in at guard or center if an injury occurs, and his experience snapping the ball gives the Bears a fallback option at center--a position that has been a concern since the departure of Cody Whitehair.
Round 3, Pick 72: TE Sam Roush - Kansas State
The Bears addressed a position of need in the third round, selecting Kansas State tight end Sam Roush. This pick was widely anticipated by draft analysts, as the Bears' tight end room was thin behind Cole Kmet and veteran Gerald Everett. Roush brings a different skill set to the table -- he's a plus-athlete with reliable hands and the ability to stretch the seam.
At 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds, Roush has the frame to hold up as an inline blocker while also providing mismatches in the passing game. He was a go-to target for Kansas State last season, hauling in 48 catches for 664 yards and six touchdowns. His ability to high-point the ball and make contested catches should make him a favored target for quarterback Caleb Williams, especially in the red zone.
What's particularly intriguing about this pick is how it fits into Ben Johnson's offensive scheme. Johnson, known for his innovative use of tight ends during his time as offensive coordinator in Detroit, loves to deploy multiple tight end sets and create mismatches with athletic players at the position. Roush gives him another weapon to work with, and the combination of Kmet, Everett, and Roush could be one of the more versatile tight end groups in the NFC.
The Bears also clearly prioritized versatility here. Roush can line up inline, split out wide, or in the slot. That kind of flexibility is gold in a modern NFL offense, and it suggests Johnson is already scheming ways to get his new tight end involved early.
Round 3, Pick 85: WR Zavion Thomas - Ole Miss
With their final pick of Day 2, the Bears added a dynamic wide receiver in Ole Miss's Zavion Thomas. This pick came as a pleasant surprise to many draft observers who had Thomas rated higher than the third round. A speedster who can win at all three levels, Thomas gives the Bears some much-needed juice behind their top two receivers, DJ Moore and Rome Odunze.
Thomas is a twitchy, explosive playmaker who excels after the catch. At Ole Miss, he was used both outside and in the slot, and his ability to take a short pass and turn it into a long gain should fit perfectly in an offense that emphasizes quick, accurate passing. He also has a background as a kick returner, which could give the Bears an immediate impact on special teams.
The wide receiver room was another area of need for Chicago. While Moore and Odunze are a formidable one-two punch, the depth behind them was unproven. Thomas steps in and likely becomes the No. 3 receiver from Day 1, pushing for snaps in three-wide sets. His speed will also force defenses to respect the deep ball, opening up underneath routes for Kmet and the running backs.
Perhaps most importantly, Thomas knows how to get open quickly -- a trait that will be vital as Caleb Williams continues to develop. The Bears are building an offense that is designed to put their young quarterback in positions to succeed, and Thomas is another piece of that puzzle.
Day 3 Preview: Four Picks Left
The Bears' work is far from over. As of Friday night, the team owns four picks in Saturday's Rounds 4 through 7. According to ABC7 Chicago, those picks are spread across the final day, giving the Bears flexibility to move up, trade back, or simply take the best player available.
The Bears will begin Day 3 with a pick in the fourth round. From there, they have selections in the fifth, sixth, and seventh rounds. Some of the remaining needs on the roster include:
- Edge rusher: While the Bears added Montez Sweat in a trade last season, they could use another young pass rusher to develop opposite him or as rotational depth.
- Cornerback depth: The team has a solid starting duo but could use another young corner for the nickel or dime packages.
- Running back: The Bears have a committee approach but adding a late-round back to compete for carries is always a possibility.
- Offensive tackle depth: While the starting tackles are set, adding a swing tackle who can develop behind them would make sense.
Given Poles' track record, expect the Bears to target high-upside players with their remaining picks. Day 3 is where championship rosters are often built, and the Bears have the capital to find contributors who can carve out roles by training camp.
Overall Impressions
The Bears' Day 2 haul was a masterclass in balancing need with value. Logan Jones fills a critical depth hole on the offensive line, Sam Roush gives Ben Johnson a versatile tight end weapon, and Zavion Thomas adds explosiveness to the wide receiver corps. All three players were selected at appropriate value levels, and each addresses a specific weakness on the roster.
Perhaps more importantly, the Bears have done an excellent job of setting up their young quarterback for success. Adding a tight end who can threaten the seam and a receiver who can take the top off the defense gives Caleb Williams weapons at every level. Meanwhile, the investment in offensive line depth ensures that the protection in front of him remains sturdy even if injuries occur.
Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson are clearly operating with a unified vision. The first two days of this draft have been about building a sustainable, competitive roster that can grow together. The Bears still have work to do on Day 3, but the foundation is looking strong.
Stay tuned for live coverage of Saturday's rounds as the Bears look to add the final pieces to their 2026 draft class. With four picks remaining, there's plenty of opportunity left to find impact players on the final day of the draft.