The 2026 NFL Draft has come and gone in a flash, and for the NFC North, it was all about closing the gap in one of the league's tightest divisions. With every team separated by just two games in the standings last season, these draft classes could very well decide who makes the playoffs—and who gets left behind.

Let's break down each team's haul and hand out some way-too-early grades.

Chicago Bears: A Defense in Progress

For what feels like the umpteenth draft in a row, the Bears entered the weekend needing an edge rusher. Despite making seven selections, they walked away without a single pass rusher off the edge—a tough pill to swallow. That said, given the perceived lack of elite talent in this class, Chicago did well in other areas.

Their first-round pick, Thieneman, felt like a best-case scenario. Day 2 was a bit of a head-scratcher on multiple levels, but Day 3 offered a nice rebound, adding some much-needed upside to a defense hungry for talent.

Offensively, there's little question about the Bears' firepower. But as the defending NFC North champions—just one year removed from a surprise playoff run—they still look like a defense away from being true Super Bowl contenders. It's easy to see the vision on offense, and even if they miss on one or two of their skill-position additions, that group is in fine shape. Defensively, they got better in the secondary and added depth elsewhere. Still, without addressing that glaring need for a pass rusher, it's fair to wonder just how impactful this class will be.

Stay tuned for grades on the rest of the division.