5 Must-Watch Defensive Tackles for the Chicago Bears at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine

The echoes of a disappointing 2025 season still reverberate through Halas Hall, and the source of the reverberation often started right in the middle of the defense. Despite the presence of a game-wrecker like Montez Sweat off the edge, the Chicago Bears’ defensive interior was too often a point of exploitation, struggling to consistently stop the run or collapse the pocket from the inside out. After a transformative overhaul of the offensive line last offseason, the mandate for GM Ryan Poles is clear: it’s the defensive trench’s turn. With the 25th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and a critical need for impact players, all eyes are on the defensive tackle class. This week’s NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis isn’t just about 40-yard dash times; it’s a crucial evaluation window for the Bears to find the cornerstone who can change their defensive DNA. Here are the five must-watch defensive tackles who could be wearing navy and orange by April.

The Foundation: Why DT is the Bears’ Defining 2026 Draft Need

Football games are won and lost in the trenches, and the Bears’ 2025 campaign was a stark testament to that adage. While the offense took a leap forward, the defense took a step back, particularly against the run. The interior defensive line lacked a consistent, disruptive force—a player who commands double teams, frees up linebackers, and complements Sweat’s elite edge pressure. In today’s NFL, a dominant three-technique defensive tackle isn’t a luxury; it’s the engine of a great defense. The Bears’ current scheme requires an athlete who can shoot gaps with explosive power while also holding firm against interior power runs. The 25th overall pick presents a prime opportunity to select a blue-chip talent at a premium position. The combine performances of these interior linemen will be paramount, as the Bears assess not just athletic traits but the functional strength and explosive power that translate to Sundays at Soldier Field.

Combine Focus: The Key Metrics for Chicago’s Defensive Tackles

When the defensive linemen take the field in Indianapolis, the Bears’ brass will be looking beyond the bench press. While strength is vital, specific drills reveal the traits essential for a successful three-tech in their system.

• 10-Yard Split: This is arguably the most important number. It measures initial burst off the line of scrimmage—the “get-off” that separates penetrators from plodders.
• Short Shuttle & 3-Cone Drill: Agility and change-of-direction ability are critical for executing stunts, chasing down plays laterally, and redirecting in tight quarters.
• Vertical & Broad Jump: These “explosiveness” metrics indicate lower-body power and the ability to generate upward force to shed blocks and disrupt passing lanes.
• Positional Drills: How a player uses his hands during bag work, his footwork, and his ability to bend and move will be scrutinized closely by coaches like Matt Eberflus.

The interviews will carry equal weight. The Bears prioritize high-character, high-motor players. Finding a defender with the right blend of explosive athleticism and relentless temperament is the goal.

Five Names to Know: Potential First-Round Targets

This draft class features a intriguing mix of power and finesse along the interior. Here are the five defensive tackles the Bears will be studying most intently at the combine.

1. Peter Woods, Clemson

Peter Woods enters the combine as a likely first-round target for teams in the 20s, making him a perfect schematic and value fit for Chicago. His 2025 stats (30 tackles, 2 sacks) only tell part of the story. As Lance Zierlein’s scouting report notes, Woods is an “active brawler” with impressive lower-body explosiveness. The Bears will be watching to see if he has added functional play strength to his frame. The concern about shorter arms is valid, but if Woods tests with elite explosiveness in the jumps and shows refined hand technique in drills, he could solidify himself as a player whose motor and fight overcome any physical limitations. Playing next to Montez Sweat would simplify his early role, allowing him to attack single blocks with his relentless energy.

2. Walter Nolen, Texas A&M

A former top recruit, Nolen is a physical marvel with the potential to be the most disruptive interior player in this class. He possesses rare blend of size, strength, and suddenness for a man his size. At the combine, the key for Nolen will be showing consistency in his drills and proving his athletic testing matches the flashes of dominance seen on tape. If he posts elite numbers, he may not be available at 25, but if he’s there, his upside as a game-wrecker would be incredibly tempting for a Bears defense seeking a true difference-maker.

3. Mason Graham, Michigan

The prototype of a high-floor, technically proficient interior defender. Graham isn’t just a space-eater; he’s a polished pass rusher with a deep bag of moves and exceptional hand usage. He consistently wins with leverage, power, and savvy. His combine testing will focus on athletic ceiling. If he shows better-than-expected agility and burst, it could ease concerns about his ultimate upside and make him a very safe, productive pick at 25. He feels like a “Bears pick” – fundamentally sound, tough, and consistently disruptive.

4. Nazir Stackhouse, Georgia

If the Bears are looking for a true, massive anchor to solidify their run defense first and foremost, Stackhouse is their man. A classic nose tackle with immense power, he excels at eating double teams and shutting down interior running lanes. The combine evaluation for him is different. The Bears will want to see if he has any semblance of pocket-pushing pass rush ability. His 10-yard split and short-area quickness will be telling. He may not be a three-down player immediately, but he would instantly transform the Bears’ ability to hold the point of attack.

5. Deone Walker, Kentucky

Walker is a fascinating, unique prospect due to his rare combination of gargantuan size (reportedly near 6’6″, 350 lbs) and shocking athletic mobility. He can two-gap, absorb blocks, and also use his length to bat down passes and disrupt the quarterback’s vision. The combine is his stage to prove his fitness and conditioning are elite. If he moves well in positional drills and shows explosive traits for his size, he becomes a tantalizing project with Pro Bowl potential. The risk is high, but the reward of pairing his unique physical tools with Sweat could be defensive chaos for opponents.

Prediction: Who Makes the Most Sense for the Bears?

The Bears operate under a “best player available” mantra, but at pick 25, need and value will intersect beautifully at the defensive tackle position. While a flashy combine performance from Walter Nolen could make him the dream scenario, Peter Woods represents the most likely and sensible fit. His playing style embodies the “H.I.T.S.” principle Coach Eberflus demands: hustle, intensity, takeaways, and (play) smart. He may not have the longest arms, but his explosive get-off, non-stop motor, and proven ability in a major conference align perfectly with the Bears’ culture and schematic need.

Do not sleep on Mason Graham, however. His technical brilliance and high floor might be too appealing for Ryan Poles to pass up, especially if Woods tests poorly. The combine will create separation in this tightly-packed group of first-round caliber defensive tackles.

Conclusion: Building a Dominant Front

The 2026 offseason is about finishing the rebuild Ryan Poles started. Fortifying the offensive line was phase one. Constructing a dominant, deep, and dynamic defensive front is phase two, and it starts right in the middle. The NFL Scouting Combine is the first major step in that process. For the Chicago Bears, finding the right defensive tackle isn’t just about filling a roster spot; it’s about acquiring a force multiplier for the entire defense. A player who makes Montez Sweat even more dangerous, who allows the linebackers to flow freely, and who sets a tone of physicality and disruption. Whether it’s the relentless brawling of Peter Woods, the polished power of Mason Graham, or the high-ceiling talent of a Walter Nolen, one of these five men is poised to become the foundational piece the Bears’ defense has been missing. The measurements, the interviews, and the drills in Indianapolis this week will bring that future into much clearer focus.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.