The Chicago Bears had one of the best first-round drafts in NFL history when they took Dick Butkus and Gale Sayers in the first round in 1965. However, the team’s selections haven’t always panned out when it comes to top picks. Here’s a look at some of the Bears’ most notable first-round picks who wound up being big-time busts. (And Justin Fields isn’t going to fall into this category because he deserved better than the chaos that surrounded the former Ohio State star.)
1971: Joe Moore, RB, Missouri, 11th pick
Moore played two seasons with Chicago, gaining all of 281 yards on 87 carries. He never found the end zone.
Moore played two seasons with Chicago, gaining all of 281 yards on 87 carries. He never found the end zone.
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1995: Rashaan Salaam, RB, Colorado, 21st pick
Despite winning the Heisman Trophy at Colorado, Salaam lasted until the 21st pick. Chicago chose him and he had a great rookie season, rushing for 1,074 yards and scoring 10 touchdowns. That was his best year as he fell off to 496 and 112 yards in his final two seasons in Chicago. Sadly, Salaam committed suicide in 2016.
Despite winning the Heisman Trophy at Colorado, Salaam lasted until the 21st pick. Chicago chose him and he had a great rookie season, rushing for 1,074 yards and scoring 10 touchdowns. That was his best year as he fell off to 496 and 112 yards in his final two seasons in Chicago. Sadly, Salaam committed suicide in 2016.
1998: Curtis Enis, RB, Penn State, 5th pick
The fifth overall pick played three years in Chicago. Of his 1,497 NFL rushing yards, 916 came in his second season.
The fifth overall pick played three years in Chicago. Of his 1,497 NFL rushing yards, 916 came in his second season.
1999: Cade McNown, QB, UCLA, 12th pick
What could go wrong when the Bears use a first-round pick on a QB? Everything.
What could go wrong when the Bears use a first-round pick on a QB? Everything.
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2008: Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt, 14th pick
The highlight of Williams’ time with the Bears is that he had one catch for four yards in 2010.
The highlight of Williams’ time with the Bears is that he had one catch for four yards in 2010.
2011: Gabe Carimi, OL, Wisconsin, 29th pick
Carimi played 16 games in two years as a Bear.
Carimi played 16 games in two years as a Bear.
2015: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia, 7th pick
A complete disaster of a choice. White had 25 catches over three years playing in 14 games. His pro career was plagued by injuries.
A complete disaster of a choice. White had 25 catches over three years playing in 14 games. His pro career was plagued by injuries.
2017: Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina, 2nd pick
Nothing like moving up to the second pick and winding up with a colossal bust. The Bears drafted Trubisky despite having signed Mike Glennon as a free agent. Neither worked out. Surprisingly, he was 29-21 as a starter for the Bears. many of the wins coming in a 2018 season when he went 11-3.
Nothing like moving up to the second pick and winding up with a colossal bust. The Bears drafted Trubisky despite having signed Mike Glennon as a free agent. Neither worked out. Surprisingly, he was 29-21 as a starter for the Bears. many of the wins coming in a 2018 season when he went 11-3.
This article originally appeared on The List Wire: Is a Bears QB the next name on this NFL draft bust list?