Full Breakdown
Chicago Bears Draft Arizona State Linebacker Keyshaun Elliott in Fifth Round of 2026 NFL Draft
4/26/2026, 9:28:53 PM
Draft Selection
On April 25, 2026, the Chicago Bears used the 166th overall pick in the fifth round to select Arizona State linebacker Keyshaun Elliott. The pick came after a Day 3 trade with the Carolina Panthers that swapped fourth- and fifth-round selections, enabling Chicago to move up earlier in the fourth round to draft cornerback Malik Muhammad.
Background and Team Needs
Chicago released veteran linebacker Tremaine Edmunds in March and awaited T.J. Edwards’ return from a fractured fibula. Free-agent Devin Bush and retained starters Jack Sanborn and Edwards left the corps thin, prompting depth at the Mike and Sam spots.
Player Profile and Production
Elliott, 22, is listed at 6-foot-1 and 231 lb. After two seasons at New Mexico State, he transferred to Arizona State, where he served as the defensive play-caller and earned second-team All-Big 12 honors in 2025 with 98 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks. He finished college with 301 tackles and 11.5 sacks. At the NFL Combine he earned a production score of 59 (21st among linebackers) and an athleticism score of 77 (12th). His pro-day 40-yard dash was 4.58 seconds; he posted a 38-inch vertical, a 10-foot-5-inch broad jump and 21 bench-press reps. Pro Football Focus gave him grades of 79.3 for run defense, 80.4 for pass rush and 47.9 for coverage.
Team Outlook and Evaluation
The Bears indicated Elliott will compete for a Mike or Sam linebacker role and contribute on special teams. Analysts commend his work ethic and character but note limited lateral speed, average instincts and heavy-handed execution in coverage. Pro Football Focus’s low coverage grade (47.9) and remarks about “heavy-footed” pursuit speed underscore concerns about his pass-coverage ability.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources list Elliott at 6-foot-1 ¾ or 6-foot-2 and at 231 lb or 233 lb. His 40-yard dash is reported as 4.58 seconds or 4.6 seconds. Career tackles are cited as 301 total or 163 at Arizona State. No Bears official comment appears in the sources.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Elliott must prove his value on passing downs, but his instincts and football character are attractive qualities for what NFL teams desire at middle linebacker,” — Dane Brugler, The Athletic
- “Big, productive inside linebacker lacking the athletic traits to make enough plays on the next level. Elliott has earned praise for his exceptional work ethic and football character. His instincts and reaction time are average, though. He can be heavy-handed when taking on blocks and his execution is inconsistent. His pursuit speed to the sideline is too heavy-footed in pass coverage and as an open-field tackler. His pathway will need to be as a physical thumper who can star on special teams.” — Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
- “His instincts and reaction time are average, though. He can be heavy-handed when taking on blocks and his execution is inconsistent. His pursuit speed to the sideline is too heavy-footed in pass coverage and as an open-field tackler.” — Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
- “smart” and “instinctive,” — Reese Hicks, Bears West Coast Scout
What's Next
Chicago holds two seventh-round picks. Elliott will attend rookie minicamp, vie for a roster spot and likely play special teams while competing for backup interior linebacker duties.
