Refreshing Draft Bears: Top 5 Draft Picks of the Last 10 Years
#3-Alshon Jeffery 2012, 2nd Rd #13, WR
Even though Phil Emery missed on a few picks in his first draft as the Bears GM, he and his team of scouts deserve a ton of credit for this one. Many may think that I am too quick to anoint Alshon “Don’t Call Me Jefferies” after 2 seasons. However, I think many underestimate how successful of a pick this actually was. Not only did Da Bears desperately need another receiver opposite B. Marsh that they definitely got with Alshon, but he has become far and away the
Dec. 30, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) catches a pass on top of Detroit Lions cornerback Ron Bartell (41) helmet in the second at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
best receiver/weapon taken in the 2012 draft. Here is the list of receivers taken ahead of him: Justin Blackmon, Michael Floyd, Kendall Wright, AJ Jenkins, Brian Quick and Stephen Hill. Aside from being a steal at #45 for the Bears and some dominating receiving stats (113 rec, 1,788 yards and 10 tds), he has also already become a friend of Matt Forte due to his downfield blocking ability – which gets vastly overlooked. If healthy, we can get used to many years of excitement with Alshon as well as overtaking Johnny Morris as the Bears all-time leading receiver (yep, you heard it here first!).
#2-Devin Hester 2006, 2nd Rd #25, WR/KR
Coming off of a division winning 2005 season largely due to their defense, it was apparent that the Bears needed some play makers on offense to get over the hump. The Bears made a bold move in the 2006 draft when they traded out of the first round to obtain more picks. When the Bears drafted a “positionless” player named Devin Hester with their second pick, many experts and fans were extremely upset and critical as names like Santonio Holmes and Chad Jackson were thrown around. These critics were quickly silenced as Hester became that game changer that the Bears needed – in a different fashion. This “draft
Nov 17, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Devin Hester (23) cheers on the crowd during the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
mistake” as many called him has now become the holder of 9 different NFL records including: most career punt return touchdowns, most return touchdowns in a season and tied for most combined returns for touchdowns in NFL history. He has changed the game as many have called the new kick off rule the “Devin Hester Rule,” preventing long returns as well as injuries. This future hall of famer created arguably more excitement than any other player in Chicago Bears history. Devin Hester…..YOU ARE RIDICULOUS!