5 star players the Chicago Bears could have drafted in past five years

Chicago Bears, Helmet
Chicago Bears, Helmet / Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
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Chicago Bears, Courtland Sutton
Chicago Bears, Courtland Sutton / David Eulitt/GettyImages

The Chicago Bears could have drafted Courtland Sutton (2018)

Ryan Pace did not have the best of drafts in 2018. He came away with some solid talent in Roquan Smith and James Daniels, however, they aren't even on the roster anymore. The Chicago Bears were in need of a wide receiver after Kevin White was showing signs of being a bust. The team was relying on Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel to lead the team. Robinson was just added in free agency, but he was coming off a torn ACL in 2017. No one truly knew what to expect from him. Gabriel made a home for himself here in Chicago but was not elite.

The Bears looked to the second round to take a wide receiver. In fact, Ryan Pace traded up to select Anthony Miller at 51. Miller showed promise in his rookie season by catching seven touchdowns. That promise was short-lived as he proved to not be focused enough on learning the playbook and refining his craft. Mental mistakes led to his downfall in the NFL.

What Ryan Pace should have done was skip over the James Daniels pick at 39 overall, and instead, the Bears should have drafted Courtland Sutton who went at 40 to the Denver Broncos. Sutton has one Pro Bowl season under his belt. Some injuries have kept him from playing to his full potential, but he has the true making of a WR1. He has gained over 700 yards in all but one season -- a season that he only played one game.