The Chicago Bears go into the 2022 NFL draft facing a considerable challenge. Not only do they lack a 1st round pick this year, but they also only have six overall. That will make it difficult for GM Ryan Poles to build a strong class. He may try to do some maneuvering to collect more picks, but that can’t be guaranteed. History says he can still put together a good group if he decides to play it safe and just use his selections.
As one of the founding franchises in NFL history, it is a safe bet the Bears have utilized each of their respective picks at least once over the years. So I decided to go back and find out the best ones they managed to pull off for each. The results were somewhat surprising. Both because of the players involved and how realistic the draft looks. It should offer fans some optimism that this team can put together a strong slate of talent with a little luck.
Chicago Bears history says good players can be found with these picks
39th overall: Mike Brown, S, Nebraska (2001)
Probably one of the most beloved players in Bears history. Brown was one of the best safeties in the NFL in the early 2000s, earning All-Pro honors in 2005. His back-to-back games with pick-six walk-off touchdowns in 2001 are legendary. Many are convinced that he’d been in the Hall of Fame if he’d been able to stay healthy. Sadly the injuries caught up to him by the time the team peaked in 2006.
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48th overall: Ernie Ladd, DT, Grambling State (1961)
No decade is rife with more what-ifs in Chicago Bears history than the 1960s. Between 1961 and 1968, the team drafted 17 eventual Pro Bowl players. Unfortunately, 10 of them never played a down in Chicago because the upstart rival American Football League poached them. Ladd was one of them. He became a three-time All-Pro for the San Diego Chargers, helping them win a league championship in 1963.
71st overall: Bob Newton, OG, Nebraska (1971)
There wasn’t anything special about Newton. He arrived during the darkest period of Bears football in franchise history and was gone before things finally started turning around. Still, he played longer on the team than anybody else they’ve ever taken at that spot, starting 42 games at right guard. He did help Bobby Douglass set the NFL record for rushing yards by a quarterback with 968 in 1972. So that’s something.
148th overall: Craig Krenzel, QB, Ohio State (2004)
There were only two choices for this spot, Krenzel or somebody who didn’t play a single down for the Bears back in the 1940s. So the former QB wins by default. Everybody remembers his disastrous rookie year. Most would rather forget it. A 46.46 completion percentage. Six interceptions to just three touchdowns. It was ugly. Yet he still somehow managed to go 3-2 as a starter. Classic Bears football.
150th overall: Jordan Howard, RB, Indiana (2016)
Such a cool story even now. Howard was almost out of football after the University of Alabama-Birmingham football program went under. After transferring to Indiana, he preserved, excelled, and became a Pro Bowler with over 1300 yards rushing as a rookie for the Chicago Bears. He remained the focal point of their offense for two more years, helping them win the division in 2018 before being traded the following offseason.
185th overall: DeAndre Houston-Carson, S, William & Mary (2016)
It seems the Bears did pretty well for themselves in that 2016 draft. Houston-Carson was an unknown out of a smaller school back then. As a rookie, he became a backup to Adrian Amos and stayed in that role for most of his career. Even so, he became a valuable sub when injuries cropped up to the starters and developed into one of the best special teams players on the roster. The fact he lasted longer on the roster than 1st round pick Leonard Floyd from that class is fascinating.
