Bears' hidden gems in the draft
The NFL draft is so hard to predict every year. Which players will blossom into NFL stars? Which players will bring a burden on your franchise? It is always hard to evaluate a player before he has played a single snap for your team. Here are some of the better picks by the Bears in recent history.
David Montgomery, Rb Iowa State
Monty was selected 73rd overall in the 3rd round of the 2019 draft. The running back wasn't a highly rated prospect but boy did he prove the league wrong. He has finished all three of his campaigns with over a thousand total yards. Very productive for a Rb playing in a bottom-tier offense.
Adrien Amos, S Penn State
Amos was drafted in the 5th round of the 2015 draft. He was a tackling machine for the Bears until he joined the Packers in 2019. Amos was even more productive in Green Bay where he finished every season with over 80 tackles. Very good value in the 5th.
Eddie Jackson, S Alabama
Although it is hard to go wrong with Alabama players, Pace did a fantastic job drafting Jackson in the 4th round in 2017. Although Bears' fans have a bad image of Jackson based on his recent play and enormous contract, let's not forget he was a dominating safety to start his career. The 112th overall selection reeled in a whopping 6 interceptions during the 2018 season which put him alongside the best safeties in the league.
Darnell Mooney, Wr Tulane
Mooney was selected in the 5th round of the 2020 NFL draft. As a rookie, he exceeded all expectations, becoming a critical part of the passing attack in Chicago. In 2021, he emerged as the top option in Chicago with his first 1000+ yard season. The speedy receiver has a bright future alongside Justin Fields.
