Chicago Bears Draft History: Looking Back at the Bears 2014 Draft
After trading their fifth round pick to the Broncos, the Bears had two six round picks and decided to use them on a quarterback and a punter. With the 183rd pick, the Bears took San Jose State quarterback David Fales. Miami Hurricane’s punter Pat O’Donnell, picked at number 191, was the Bears second pick in that round.
The Bears really liked Fales and thought that he could develop into a solid backup. Over the course of his career in Chicago, which lasted just under three years, he has only appeared in one game and that was last season. He threw two passes during his two-plus regular season stints in Chicago.
The reason why Fales didn’t make it for a full three seasons in Chicago is because he was allowed to walk at the end of preseason last year. The Bears ended up bringing him back when they had injuries at the quarterback position. That’s when he earned his little bit of playing time in 2016.
It doesn’t appear as if Fales is going to get a new contract from the Bears this season and he will not be a member of the team in 2017.
The Bears needed a punter back in 2014 and drafted one by taking O’Donnell. He has remained a mainstay with the team since and has been called effective by some. Others feel he has been less than stellar.
When you look at the rankings for punters last season, O’Donnell had a 44 yard average with a net of 38.4. That was ranked near the bottom of the league. While he hasn’t been spectacular, he has been serviceable.
The Bears haven’t brought in any competition at punter since drafting O’Donnell and he probably won’t see any competition this year. His rookie contract will end after the 2017 season. Will the Bears choose to re-sign him?
O’Donnell is consistent but not spectacular but then do you need a “spectacular” punter? As far as stating how well he has done as a draft pick, he has been ok. He has held the fort down for four years and was a necessary pick. He wasn’t a wasted pick.
Emery might have gotten this one right.