A look at the Chicago Bears best draft picks over the last 10 years
By Evan Bruner
Chicago Bears 2021 NFL Draft: Justin Fields, QB
Selection: First Round (11th overall)
Truth be told, I went back and forth between Teven Jenkins and Justin Fields for this spot. Jenkins was the team’s best offensive lineman in 2022 and even gained some Pro Bowl consideration. Additionally, Jenkins was a second-round pick, making the selection even more impressive than if he was taken 11th overall like Fields was.
At the end of the day, though, Fields is the face of the franchise and showed growth as a passer toward the end of the 2022 season. He has already broken multiple franchise records and has the potential to break several more in 2023 and beyond.
Grabbing Fields at 11 was an impressive feat for former general manager Ryan Pace, but getting him as the fourth quarterback off the board was exceptional value.
What’s stood out the most in Fields’ game thus far has been his adaptability. His supporting cast has forced him to play differently than he did at Ohio State, and despite this, still contrived an efficient offense.
It would be hard to imagine Fields going any later than second overall in a re-draft, and that’s enough to make him the best pick of Pace’s final draft.