Kathryn Sears
How surprised were you that the Falcons drafted a quarterback at No. 8, allowing the Bears to pick receiver Rome Odunze at No. 9?
I wasn’t surprised that the Falcons didn’t draft a receiver at No. 8; I really didn’t expect them to given that they already have a number of dangerous offensive weapons including receivers Drake London and former Bear Darnell Mooney; running backs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier and tight end Kyle Pitts.
Can you rate this draft compared to previous classes? Where would this draft rank and which draft do you feel is the best in Bears history?
Not to avoid the question, Jason, but it’s impossible to compare this year’s Bears draft to previous ones until we see what type of careers the players who were picked this year have. I can tell you that I think these are the top four drafts in Bears history:
The Bears harvested seven eventual starters in the 1983 draft who in two years would help lead the franchise to its first Super Bowl title. The draft class included Hall of Fame tackle Jimbo Covert and receiver Willie Gault in the first round, cornerback Mike Richardson in the second, safety Dave Duerson in the third, guard Tom Thayer in the fourth and Hall of Fame defensive end Richard Dent and guard Mark Bortz in the eighth.
The Bears chose Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton with the No. 4 pick in the first round and selected eight other eventual starters in defensive end Mike Hartenstine (second round), cornerback Virgil Livers (fourth), guard Revie Sorey (fifth), quarterback Bob Avellini (sixth), linebacker Tom Hicks (sixth), defensive tackle Roger Stillwell (ninth), safety Doug Plank (12th) and fullback Roland Harper (17th).
The Bears chose legendary Hall of Famers with back-to-back picks in the 1965 draft, selecting ferocious middle linebacker Dick Butkus at No. 3 and electrifying running back and return specialist Gale Sayers at No. 4. The two superstars dominated as rookies and became legends who are still revered by fans more than 50 years later.
In the NFL’s first draft, the Bears chose a pair of Hall of Famers: First-rounder Joe Stydahar, a big and powerful tackle from West Virginia, and ninth-rounder Danny Fortmann, a small but talented guard from Colgate. Playing next to each other on the left side of the Bears offensive line, Stydahar and Fortmann helped the “Monsters of the Midway” revolutionize pro football with the T-formation.
And saving the best for last, here is the winner of this week’s Connie’s Pizza’s gift card:
How would you grade this year’s draft and how well do you think the Bears are positioned for next year’s draft with the picks that they have?
Sure, I’m biased. But how do you not give the Bears an “A” grade after taking a quarterback that’s considered by many to be the best prospect at the most important position in football in several years and a receiver who would have been the top player at his position in many drafts? Of course, time will tell. But the Bears did a great job of landing impact players who could potentially help turn them into a championship contender.
In terms of next year’s draft, the Bears are in terrific shape. They have a total of eight picks: their own selections in Rounds 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 as well as additional choices from the Panthers in the second round, the Steelers in the fourth or sixth round depending on Justin Fields’ playing time this season and the Dolphins in the sixth round.
They acquired the Panthers’ pick in last year’s blockbuster trade for the No. 1 selection in the 2023 draft, the Steelers’ pick in exchange for Fields and the Dolphins’ pick for receiver Chase Claypool. The Bears traded their fourth-round choice in exchange for a 2024 fifth-round pick they spent on Kansas edge rusher Austin Booker and dealt their seventh-round selection to the Dolphins as part of the Claypool trade.
Congratulations, Kyle – the Bears will be reaching out to you via email to send your Connie’s Pizza gift card!
Kathryn is the main contributor to the quiz section of LaDailyGazette.com. If you have an idea for a quiz, let us know.