NFL Draft: Ranking Bears’ best 1st-round picks since 2000

The Bears haven’t struck gold often in the first round in recent history, but when they have, those picks were perfect.

4. Greg Olsen, TE

2007 NFL Draft, No. 31 overall

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

For the first four years of his career, tight end Greg Olsen proved to be a vertical threat for the Bears offense. He was quarterback Jay Cutler’s favorite target during their two years together, where they were a perfect duo. In four years with the Bears, Olsen averaged 49 receptions for 495 yards and five touchdowns per season.

Perhaps the most heartbreaking thing is that Olsen would go on to thrive outside of Chicago. After the Bears traded Olsen to the Carolina Panthers, he grew into one of the game’s best tight ends. Guess who’s laughing now? Hint, it’s not Mike Martz, who died on a hill that consisted of Desmond Clark, Kellen Davis and Matt Spaeth.

[lawrence-related id=441554,441773,441731,441726]