Bears NFL Draft 2026: Chicago selects Keyshaun Elliott, Arizona State, LB

With the 166th pick in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears have selected Arizona State linebacker Kehshaun Elliott.

Elliot (6’1 3/4 ”, 231 pounds) started for the last three plus years, the last two at Arizona State, and while with the Sun Devils, he was the defensive play caller with the green dot at the Mike. He was Second Team All-Big 12 in 2025 with 98 tackles, a team-leading 14.5 tackles for loss, and a team-leading 7 sacks.

He’s a physical player within the box, but his pursuit speed and coverage skills aren’t the best. He didn’t run at the Combine, but he hit a 4.58 forty at his pro day.

“Elliott must prove his value on passing downs,” writes The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, “but his instincts and football character are attractive qualities for what NFL teams desire at middle linebacker.”

Brugler had a third-round grade on Elliot, and he was his eighth linebacker overall. If he maxes out his potential, he could eventually be the heir apparent to T.J. Edwards in the middle, and he should back up at the Mike and at the Sam as a rookie.

We’ll stream our breakdown/reaction video of the selection right after the draft, so check it out here as soon as it’s published on our 2nd City Gridiron channels.