Hey, all. With this upcoming draft being a bit paltry for Chicago, I figured we needed something to get amped up for, like everyone else. So, in thinking about what this team has done through the draft in the last handful of years, I wanted to go back and find out what everyone considers the best 5 draft picks Chicago made between 2000 and 2018. Criteria starts with what that player contributed on the field, but can range as far as what that player fetched in trade, or how far above draft position that player played. Whatever you like, really. Obviously, more recent picks are tougher - they'll be compared to legacy players whose careers are already over. So, weight how you please. And I'm sure it's tempting to make a list of the worst picks, as well - but remember, folks, we're trying to stay positive, here. We've had a lot of doom and gloom over the years already. That said, if you're so inclined, I'm not stopping you. Hell, I'd be interested in seeing which list is harder for you to make, personally. That'd be a fun experiment. If you feel like your list (either) has to go past a top 5, I totally get it - name as many as you like. My top 5: 1. Brian Urlacher (2000, 1st rd) 2. Devin Hester (2006, 2nd rd) 3. Matt Forte (2008, 2nd rd) 4. Charles Tillman (2003, 2nd rd) 5. Mitch Trubisky (2017, 1st rd) Could have made this list longer - left out some key players, new and old. Ultimately, the short track record of the newer players made it hard to put them over the legacy players. And I was surprised that all 5 were first or second round picks. I could argue positioning for 2-4 all day, on my list. Mitch is on there because of the hope and massive shift in franchise trajectory he represents - even if it's not yet fulfilled. Tough calls, all around. Whaddya y'all got? Much love, everyone!
Have basically no interest in the first round and not just because we don't have a pick but also because I feel like this is one of the least hyped drafts in memory in terms of incoming talent. The selection of Briggs in the 3rd round of 2002 is probably up there as well as the ones you point out. I'd leave out Trubisky. Still way too early to say, especially since we traded up for him when we could have had him at #3. My top 5 1) Urlacher 2) Peanut 3) Briggs 4) Hester 5) Tommie Harris in 2004, because of how dominant he was his first 3 seasons before the injuries.
I'm not sold on Trubisky, myself. I've called him "average", and until he proves me wrong, I'll stick to it. Lot of faults, as a player. That said, if he turns out to be good, it'll change the franchise. And his low contract and average play means we have QB stability and the money to pay guys like Mack. So, there's already plenty of good there. I agree that including him is highly arguable - not an easy decision to make. Tommie Harris is a good call. So is Briggs. Briggs vs Forte was a real debate, for me.
Obvious ones can go dozens of different ways..... Urlacher, Peanut, Forte are obvious 1-3. I don't care if its premature, I'm putting Eddie Jackson in there. He hasn't had the career, and we expect him to get better (remember this guy was a 4th round pick) but in 2 years he's made us forget safety woes. If he is the same player for the rest of his career that he was in 2018, he'd be there regardless. If we're going field contributions, Greg Olsen is 5, but I assume Dline means on field contributions for bears....and most of us agree one 3rd was embarrassing for a return for him, yet that 3rd was flipped for Brandon Marshall--who while I hate him, cant argue his initial contributions/statistics. So by DLine's rules--I'll take the TE from the U. Otherwise 5 is Briggs. I don't love Lance Briggs. The year Urlacher left and he called the D he looked lost, slow, and clueless (granted Mel Tucker probably didn't help). 54 had to tell him where to be...... Edit* Honorable mentions: Tonight's pick owned by Oakland. Thank you again for Khalil Mack, Jon Gruden.....The raiders are a mess this offseason. They've been a mess since Gruden arrived.
Not according to the spin on this. lol What is it going to mean to the cap when many players are deferring their money when the Raiders move to Nevada where there is no state income tax? I must of been drunk last night when I posted this and forgot to put the link in, and by must I mean was. http://www.espn.com/blog/oakland-ra...AFL19sE1O7IfQrpdP7WJ_QkKEupWBL96GWqH56vr_yFVo
The only lock in terms of position on this list is Urlacher. After that you can make a case one way or another depending personal pref My Personal Top 5: 1- Urlacher 2- Forte 3- Tillman 4- Hester 5- Briggs Forte, to me was one of the most under-rated players anywhere of the last 20 years. All people did was bitch about what he didn't do(which wasn't much) while he quietly accounted 35-40% of the teams total offense year after year and never came off the field cos was an effective blitz pickup also. Everyone thinks about the returns with Hester, and of course he was the most exciting Bears player ive ever had the pleasure to watch. But for YEARS this guy delivered the kind of gold field position that should've made one of the highest scoring offenses in the league every season. Except it was wasted cos the Bears Offense under Lovie was consistently shit. Briggs could be higher than this. I know Urlacher made his life easier etc, but he was still a hell of a player in his own right. Perfect for that system and that D. 7 pro bowls for a 3rd round pick, incredible. What drops him imo is he was never a fan fav and for good reason. Briggs was one mercenary fucker, with zero leadership skills. His "i got out" moment when Cutler/Marshall/Gould were splitting the locker left a permanent stain on his rep. Hon Mention: Charles Leno Jr. I know crazy right? Most of the time i haven't even liked this guy heh, but its a matter of fact that he's been the starter for 4years now and in that time hasn't missed one single game. He also just earned his first pro bowl nod, allbeit as an alternate. But as a 7th round pick, a guy taken like 250th overall....even i have to tip my cap to that one.
But seriously.... 1. Urlacher, of course 2. Charles Tillman 3. Lance Briggs 4. Devin Hester 5. Matt Forte No explanations necessary. 1 of those guys is in the hall. 3 of the others should someday be there with him.
No arguing the top 5. But I’m creating an honorable mention/sleeper pick category. Eddie Jackson (4th rd) Henry Melton (4th rd) Johnny Knox (5th rd) And you forgot... for shit picks: Dan Bazuin (2nd) Mark Bradley (2nd) Garrett Wolfe - one of the worst reaches of all time in the 3rd round
If we're gonna mention busts, Mike Okwo has gotta be up there. Picked #72 overall (3rd round), never played a snap for the team, or any team. Jackpot.
