What If The Chicago Bears Drafted Differently?

Below are the abbreviations for the positional players:


QB = quarterback
RB = running back
FB = full back
WR = wide receiver
TE = tight end

C = center
OT = offensive tackle
OG = offensive guard

DT = defensive tackle
DE = defensive end

LB = line backer

CB = corner back
S = safety
SS = strong safety
FS = free safety

P = punter
PK = place kicker
KR = kick returner

In the 2003 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears had two draft picks in the 1st round and certainly both could have been better selections. With the 14th overall pick, the Bears drafted Michael Haynes (DE). He was with the team for only three years and was then cut. Troy Polamalu (S) was still available at the time.

With the 22nd overall pick, the Bears took Rex Grossman (QB). He has been really inconsistent over the years and is not a franchise quarterback. The Bears had a shot at drafting someone better like Nnamdi Asomugha (CB).

In round 2, the Bears picked a really solid guy in Charles Tillman (CB) who is a frequent contributor to the defense. Other guys the Bears could have targeted were Anquan Boldin (WR), Rashean Mathis (CB), Ken Hamlin (S) or Osi Umenyiora (DE).

Round 3 brought one of the best defensive players to the Chicago Bears. With the 68th overall pick, the Bears selected Lance Briggs (LB). Combined with Brian Urlacher (LB), the Bears have one of the best linebacker groups in the NFL.

The Bears had two picks in round 4. They drafted Todd Johnson (S) and Ian Scott (DT) and neither became a star player. The Bears organization should have drafted Terrence McGee (CB) and Asante Samuel (CB).

Round 5 brought three more draft selections to the Chicago Bears, which they used on Bobby Wade (WR) and Justin Gage (WR). Neither receiver was that effective and could have been replaced by better players like Dan Koppen (C) and David Diehl (OT). The third pick in round 5 was Tron LaFavor (DT) even though Cato June (LB) was still on the draft board.

The Chicago Bears could have also drafted some notable undrafted NFL superstars like Tony Romo (QB), Kris Dielman (OG) and Antonio Gates (TE). If they would have drafted Romo in a late round, the Bears could have used their 22nd overall pick on a better player than Rex Grossman.


Summary Of Players The Chicago Bears Should Have Acquired In 2003

Troy Polamalu
Nnamdi Asomugha
Terrence McGee
Asante Samuel
Dan Koppen
David Diehl
Cato June
Kris Dielman
Antonio Gates
Tony Romo

The Chicago Bears had the 14th overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, which was used to grab Tommie Harris (DT). The Bears really could not have picked a better guy here. Harris is a multiple time Pro Bowler.

The Bears drafted another defensive tackle in round 2, Tank Johnson. Tank has had a few off-the-field issues, so this was a bad pick by the Bears. They could have drafted Darnell Dockett (DT), Nick Hardwick (C) or Nate Kaeding (K).

In round 3, the Bears drafted Bernard Berrian (WR). He did not develop into a full-time big play receiver and in 2008, he signed with the Minnesota Vikings. The Bears should have went with Jerricho Cotchery (WR) or Chris Cooley (TE).

The Bears had two picks in round 4. Nathan Vasher (CB) was an excellent pick, but Leon Joe (LB) was a terrible selection. That pick should have been Jared Allen (DE).


Summary Of Players The Chicago Bears Should Have Acquired In 2004

Darnell Dockett
Jerricho Cotchery
Jared Allen

The 2005 NFL Draft had the Chicago Bears with the 4th overall pick and it was a huge bust: Cedric Benson (RB). The Benson selection was certainly one of the worst draft decisions by the Bears - ever! Benson was cut by the team in 2008. A better pick would have been DeMarcus Ware (LB), Shawne Merriman (LB), Jammal Brown (OT), Roddy White (WR) or Logan Mankins (OG).

The Bears selected Mark Bradley (WR) in the 2nd round and again, was not a big time play threat. With no 3rd round pick, the Bears should have drafted a bigger impact player like Frank Gore (RB), Marion Barber (RB), Lofa Tatupu (LB) or Justin Tuck (DE).

The Bears 4th round selection was Kyle Orton (QB). In 2008 he is proving to be a quality quarterback. If he can stay healthy, Orton could be a good draft pick and a reason to not resign Rex Grossman.

Airese Currie (WR) was picked in round 5, but a better pick would have been Trent Cole (DE). Joshua Cribbs (KR) was undrafted and the Bears could have used one of their low-round draft picks on him.


Summary Of Players The Chicago Bears Should Have Acquired In 2005

DeMarcus Ware
Frank Gore
Trent Cole
Joshua Cribbs

1. Matt Forte
2. Kyle Orton
3. Chicago Bears defense
4. Devin Hester
5. Greg Olsen

The Chicago Bears did not have a 1st round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft . In the 2nd round, with the 42nd overall pick, the Bears drafted Danieal Manning (S). He is a solid player, but there were better opportunities here for impact players like Greg Jennings (WR), Maurice Jones-Drew (RB) or Marcus McNeill (OT).

The Bears had another 2nd round draft pick, which brought Devin Hester (KR) to the team. Hester is the premiere kick returner in the NFL, so this pick was an outstanding selection for the Bears.

In round 3, the Bears selected Dusty Dvoracek (DT) who has had a number of injury problems. A better draft pick here would have been Brandon Marshall (WR), Leon Washington (RB) or Owen Daniels (TE).

The Bears' 4th round selection was Jamar Williams (LB), even though better players like Marques Colston (WR) and Antoine Bethea (FS) were still on the draft board.


Summary Of Players The Chicago Bears Should Have Acquired In 2006

Greg Jennings
Brandon Marshall
Antoine Bethea

If the Chicago Bears changed just a few picks, their team would likely be more successful than it is now. Again, no General Manager can win with every draft pick, but below is the team the Bears could have drafted. The team below is based on draft positions and team needs.

Tony Romo (QB)
Kyle Orton (QB)

Marion Barber (RB)
Maurice Jones-Drew (RB)

Anquan Boldin (WR)
Jerricho Cotchery (WR)
Roddy White (WR)

Antonio Gates (TE)
Owen Daniels (TE)

Dan Koppen (C)
Kris Dielman (OG)
David Diehl (OT)

Jared Allen (DE)
Trent Cole (DE)
Tommie Harris (DT)
Darnell Dockett (DT)

Lance Briggs (LB)
Cato June (LB)

Troy Polamalu (S)
Antoine Bethea (FS)
Nnamdi Asomugha (CB)
Terrence McGee (CB)
Asante Samuel (CB)
Nathan Vasher (CB)

Joshua Cribbs (KR)
Devin Hester (KR)

The Chicago Bears had the biggest need for wide receivers over the last few drafts and they kept selecting poor performers. Because of the team's draft positions, they did not have any real opportunity to draft stud receivers (except for Anquan Boldin) until the 2006 NFL Draft and yet, they passed on all of them (Greg Jennings, Brandon Marshall, Marques Colston).