The Chicago Bears added their third defender in the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting linebacker Keyshaun Elliott out of Arizona State with the No. 166 overall pick.
After taking safety Dillon Thieneman in the first round at No. 25 overall, the Bears went all offense in the second and third round on Friday, but got back to addressing defense with the pick of Elliott, as well as cornerback Malik Muhammad, who they traded up for to select with the No. 124 pick.
Chicago's linebacker position is filled with veterans, including leader T.J. Edwards, as well as D'Marco Jackson, in addition to free agent signings Devin Bush and Jack Sanborn, so Elliott joins a loaded position group. After selecting Ruben Hyppolite II in the fourth round last year, the Bears go back to the linebacker spot looking to inject some youth, while also adding players who can contribute on special teams while they await a chance to crack the starting lineup.
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Dillon Thieneman in first round (No. 25)1 / 1How NFL experts graded the Bears' selection of Dillon Thieneman2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Dillon Thieneman in first round (No. 25)1 / 1How NFL experts graded the Bears' selection of Dillon Thieneman2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Dillon Thieneman in first round (No. 25)Here's our initial grade of the Bears' selection of Elliott in the fifth round:
The grade is not indicative of Elliott's talent, it's the fact that the Bears take a player at a position that is filled with veteran talent and will be difficult for the rookie linebacker to crack the lineup. While starting jobs are not handed out to fifth-round talents, or most rookies for that matter, Elliott is going to have to earn his opportunity at playing time, likely on special teams, where he did not play in the college level. His talent is there, totaling seven sacks and 14 tackles for loss in the 2025 season, but it's a pick that is a bit interesting given that the Bears have elected not to address the defensive line.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears select Keyshaun Elliott: Grading Chicago's pick in NFL Draft