With Recent Departures, Bears Draft Woes Really Evident
2010
Sep 29, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush (21) leaps over Chicago Bears strong safety Major Wright (21) on his way to a thirty seven yard touchdown run in the second quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
The Bears were still recovering from the Jay Cutler trade, again without a first round draft pick. They also traded their second round pick to the Bucs for Gaines Adams (rest in peace):
| Round | Pick | Name | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 75 | Major Wright | FS | Florida |
| 4 | 109 | Corey Wootton | DE | Northwestern |
| 5 | 140 | Joshua Moore | CB | Kansas State |
| 6 | 181 | Dan LeFevour | QB | Central Michigan |
| 7 | 218 | J’Marcus Webb | OT | West Texas A&M |
It looked like Major Wright was a player on the rise, then 2013 happened and the bottom fell out. He’s still available as a free agent but don’t expect him back in the Navy and Orange. I believe if Wootton didn’t require offseason hip surgery, he may have figured more into the Bears’ plans. J’Webb’s struggles are well documented, but he did spend 2013 on an NFL roster. No one from this draft class will be represented on the 2014 Chicago Bears. Ugh!
Number of draft picks on 2014 roster = 0
August 18, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears offensive tackle Gabe Carimi (72) sits on the bench during the second half against the Washington Redskins at Soldier Field. The Bears beat the Redskins 33-31. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
2011
The Bears finally had a first round pick and promptly wasted it on a washout offensive tackle. They spent a 4th round pick to trade up a few spots in the 2nd round to take Stephen Paea. They had no 7th round pick because they used that in the supplemental draft to take Harvey Unga.
| Round | Selection | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 29 | Gabe Carimi | OT | Wisconsin |
| 2 | 53 | Stephen Paea | DT | Oregon State |
| 3 | 93 | Chris Conte | FS | California |
| 5 | 160 | Nathan Enderle | QB | Idaho |
| 6 | 195 | J.T. Thomas | LB | West Virginia |
The last men standing from the 2011 draft class, Jerry Angelo’s last as Bears GM, are DT Stephen Paea and much-maligned Chris Conte, who might be a longshot to make the final 53 man roster. At least the Bears were able to salvage a late-round draft pick for Carimi, who proved to be another offensive lineman BUST.
Number of draft picks on 2014 roster = 2