The Bears selected Arizona State linebacker Keyshaun Elliott in the fifth round at No. 166, adding depth and special-teams value as they finalize their 2026 roster plans.
The Chicago Bears added a new piece to their defense Saturday when they selected Arizona State linebacker Keyshaun Elliott in the fifth round at No. 166.
With the pick coming at a key point in the draft’s middle stretch. the Bears’ selection also carried a bit of momentum from earlier moves.. Chicago entered the fifth round with No.. 166 after trading with the Panthers—an agreement that allowed the Bears to move up earlier to take Texas cornerback Malik Muhammad in Round 4.
Elliott, 22, spent two seasons at Arizona State after initially signing to play at New Mexico State.. In Tempe, he started for two years and produced nine sacks with four passes defended across 25 games.. His last season included seven sacks. reinforcing a pattern scouts look for in players who can apply pressure while maintaining discipline.
Before his ASU run. Elliott’s production at New Mexico State was more modest but still pointed to a player developing momentum: across two seasons there. he recorded 2½ sacks and 10½ tackles for loss.. For a fifth-round selection. that combination—clear growth paired with measurable disruption—often signals a specific kind of NFL value: a defender who can be coached into a defined role without needing instant stardom.
Bears west coast area scout Reese Hicks praised Elliott as a high-end “intangibles” player. emphasizing his intelligence. instinct. and the way he operated as part of the defensive system at Arizona State—where he reportedly “wore the green dot.” That detail matters because the “green dot” is typically assigned to players trusted to manage coverage calls and alignment adjustments.. In practice, it’s less about flashy highlights and more about how consistently a player processes the game.
In a draft filled with hopes of immediate impact, Elliott’s projected path may be more about usefulness than spotlight.. The Bears already have established options at linebacker, including Devin Bush, T.J.. Edwards, and Jack Sanborn on base downs.. Elliott’s role. especially early. could lean toward special teams. where coaches often look for players who understand assignments quickly and chase effort without needing extra reps to learn the tempo.
Elliott said he expected to hear less from the Bears than other teams and was surprised by their interest.. A suburban Kansas City. Missouri native. he also acknowledged he wasn’t primarily a special teams player at ASU—but believes his linebacker skills can translate.. “It’s something I’m super-excited about. ” he said. pointing to how his play style at linebacker can fit the demands of special teams.
From a roster-building perspective. that kind of alignment is exactly what late-day draft selections can provide: functional depth that stabilizes multiple phases of the game.. The Bears’ current structure suggests Elliott could contribute at middle or weak-side linebacker if injuries open a door. while still giving Chicago an additional option on kickoff and punt units.. At 6-foot-1 and 231 pounds, he fits the profile of a defender who can be moved around without feeling undersized.
Beyond football mechanics, there’s also a personal dimension worth considering.. Elliott is the fifth of 10 children. a background that often comes with the kind of drive that shows up when opportunities are scarce and competition is constant.. NFL teams don’t draft “stories” alone. but they do draft traits—how a player handles pressure. how hard he works. and how ready he is when the role changes.
The Bears now head into the last part of Saturday’s draft with two picks left in Round 7. which will likely shape how the team balances immediate needs with longer-term developmental targets.. For fans, the selection of Elliott at No.. 166 is less about one big projection and more about a careful bet: that a smart. instinctive linebacker can find a job early. then grow into bigger defensive responsibilities as the 2026 team takes shape.