Chicago Bears 2026 draft picks: Fun facts about the new rookies
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A Chicago Bears sign in the tunnel during the NFL draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 22, 2026. Photo: Michael Owens/Getty Images
The Bears added seven players in the NFL draft, giving GM Ryan Poles and coach Ben Johnson new pieces to reshape the roster.
What they're saying: "We followed the board," Poles said during a press conference on Friday night. "To go into a draft and just start picking at your needs ... that doesn't play out very well over the long haul."
Here are some fun facts about the rookies who could make an impact:
Dillon Thieneman (Oregon)
The Bears landed a speedy, hard-hitting safety — a ballhawk who starred at Oregon and Purdue.
State of play: At the NFL Combine, he ran a 4.35 40-yard dash and recorded a 41-inch vertical jump — an elite mark for defensive backs.
Fun fact: He and his two older brothers all played safety at Purdue.
Logan Jones (Iowa)
The Bears selected Iowa center Logan Jones with their second-round pick. Jones, who excels at run blocking, is a former defensive lineman who switched to center.
State of play: Jones excelled at his new position and won the 2025 Rimington Award as the nation's top center. He projects as depth behind Garrett Bradbury.
Fun fact: He holds Iowa's all-time squat record at 700 pounds.
Sam Roush (Stanford)
Sam Roush joins a crowded tight end room at Halas Hall, with Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet already entrenched as starters in Ben Johnson's system.
State of play: Adding Roush — a run-blocking tight end — gives Johnson flexibility to create mismatches in the run game.
Fun fact: He spent time living in Jakarta playing rugby, and his great-uncle is NFL legend Merlin Olsen.
Zavion Thomas (LSU)
Thomas is one of the fastest receivers in this year's draft and could factor into the return game.
State of play: He wasn't among the top wide receiver prospects, but he ran a 4.28 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and was used in gadget and trick plays at LSU — a staple in Ben Johnson's offense.
Fun fact: Talk about serendipity: Thomas says he is a distant relative of Walter Payton.
Malik Muhammad (Texas)
The cornerback is yet another speed-focused draft pick for the Bears.
State of play: Taken in the fourth round, Muhammad is known for his pass coverage skills and could compete to line up opposite Jaylon Johnson in the starting defensive backfield.
Fun fact: Malik is the third-oldest of nine siblings.
Keyshaun Elliott (Arizona State)
Elliott was the only linebacker taken by the Bears in the draft.
State of play: He produced big plays in college, amassing 14 tackles for loss and 7 sacks in 2025. He's more physical than speedy.
Fun fact: Elliott was the quarterback, linebacker, and punter on his Missouri high school championship squad.
Jordan van den Berg (Georgia Tech)
The Bears traded two picks to move up to draft van den Berg. The defensive tackle was a first-team All-ACC selection last year. He projects as a rotational defensive lineman.
Fun fact: He grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he played rugby. His grandfather, Francois van den Berg, competed in the Mr. Universe bodybuilding competition.
Not so fun fact: He's a big Packers fan.