The Chicago Bears are once again without a first-round draft pick in this year’s NFL Draft, which is the final of two first rounders traded to the Las Vegas Raiders for Khalil Mack.
Maybe that’s a good thing. Because the Bears’ history of first-round picks over the last decade isn’t pretty. Names like David Terrell, Rex Grossman, Gabe Carimi and Kevin White are just a few of the many failed first-round picks that never panned out for Chicago.
But among those first-round busts were some gems that have been instrumental to the success of the Bears during their tenure. The Bears haven’t struck gold often in the first round in recent history, but when they have, those picks were perfect.
Let’s take a look at the Bears’ five best first-round draft picks since 2000.
5. Roquan Smith, LB
2018 NFL Draft, No. 8 overall
The Bears are known for linebackers and running backs. So when the Bears drafted inside linebacker Roquan Smith with the eighth overall pick in 2018, they were drafting who they hoped would carry on that tradition. And, from his small sample size, Smith has established himself as an important piece of this Bears defense.
In two seasons with the Bears, Smith has established himself as a leader in the middle of this defense. He’s racked up 155 total tackles, seven sacks, seven passes defensed and two interceptions during his short tenure. But from what we’ve seen from the former Georgia Bulldog during that span, he’s a foundational piece of this defense.
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