List of Chicago Bears first-round draft picks

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Mike Ditka, wearing sunglasses, from the shoulders up.
Mike Ditka was the Bears' first-round selection in the 1961 NFL draft.[1] Ditka would later become the team's head coach for 11 seasons, during which time they won Super Bowl XX.[2] In 1988, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his accomplishments as a player.[3]

The Chicago Bears are an American football franchise based in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference North Division.[4] The franchise was founded in Decatur, Illinois, on September 20, 1919,[5] became professional on September 17, 1920, and moved to Chicago in 1921.[6][7][8] It is one of only two remaining franchises from the NFL's founding in 1920, along with the Arizona Cardinals, which was originally also in Chicago.[9][10][7] The team played home games at Wrigley Field on Chicago's North Side through the 1970 season; they now play at Soldier Field on the South Side adjacent to Lake Michigan.[11][12][13]

The NFL draft, officially known as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting",[14][15][16] is an annual event which serves as the league's most common source of player recruitment.[17] The draft order is determined based on the previous season's standings; the teams with the worst win–loss records receive the earliest picks. Teams that qualified for the NFL playoffs select after non-qualifiers, and their order depends on how far they advanced, using their regular season record as a tie-breaker. The final two selections in the first round are reserved for the Super Bowl runner-up and champion. Draft picks are tradable and players or other picks can be acquired with them.[18]

In 1936, the league introduced the NFL draft after team owners voted on it in 1935.[19][20] The intention of the draft is to make the NFL more competitive, as some teams had an advantage in signing players.[18][20] From 1947 through 1958 the NFL designated the first overall selection as a "bonus" or "lottery pick". The pick was awarded by a random draw and the winner who received the "bonus pick" forfeited its selection in the final round of the draft and became ineligible for future draws. The system was abolished prior to the 1959 NFL draft, as all twelve teams in the league at the time had received a bonus choice.[21][22]

Since the first draft, the Bears have selected 98 players in the first round. The team's first-round pick in the inaugural NFL draft was Joe Stydahar, a tackle from West Virginia University; he was the sixth overall selection.[23] The Bears have held the first overall pick three times and selected Tom Harmon in 1941, Bob Fenimore in 1947, and Caleb Williams in 2024.[23] In the most recent draft, held in 2025, the Bears Michigan tight end Colston Loveland.[24]

The Bears did not draft a player in the first round on nine occasions, most recently in 2022.[23] Eleven of the team's first-round picks—Dick Butkus, Jim Covert, Mike Ditka, Dan Hampton, Chuck Howley, Sid Luckman, Walter Payton, Gale Sayers, Joe Stydahar, Clyde Turner, and Brian Urlacher—have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.[22][23] Three of the team's first-round picks—Dave Behrman, Steve DeLong, and George Rice—chose to sign with the NFL's pre-merger direct competitor, the American Football League (AFL), instead.[25][26][27][28]

Player selections

Brian Urlacher on a football field wearing his Chicago Bears uniform and helmet.
Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher was drafted by the Bears with the 9th overall pick in the 2000 NFL draft. He spent his whole career with the Bears (2000–2012), during which time he won NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2005), made the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team, and was selected to eight Pro Bowls.[29][30]
Walter Payton carrying a football and giving a stiff arm to another player on the New Orleans Saints.
Running back Walter Payton was drafted by the Bears in 1975 and inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993. He won the NFL MVP award in 1977 and was unanimously selected for the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.[31][32]
Headshot of Gayle Sayers in 2008.
Gale Sayers, a running back drafted in 1965, spent his entire 7 season career with the Bears before being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977. Sayers was a five-time All-Pro and was selected for the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.[33][32]
Dick Butkus sitting and holding a Marlboro magazine.
Dick Butkus was a linebacker drafted by the Bears in the 1965 NFL draft. During his 9-year career with the Bears, he was the Defensive Player of the Year twice, made eight Pro Bowls, and was selected as an All-Pro eight times. He was also unanimously selected for the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.[34][35]
Key
Symbol Meaning
Template:Dagger Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
* Selected number one overall
Position abbreviations
C Center
CB Cornerback
DB Defensive back
DE Defensive end
DT Defensive tackle
E End
FB Fullback
G Guard
HB Halfback
LB Linebacker
QB Quarterback
RB Running back
S Safety
T Tackle
TE Tight end
WR Wide receiver
Chicago Bears first-round draft picks by season
Season Pick[23] Player[23] Position[23] College[23] Notes
1936 6 Script error: No such module "Sort".Template:Dagger T West Virginia
1937 6 Script error: No such module "Sort". E Nebraska
1938 10 Script error: No such module "Sort". HB Oregon State
1939 2 Script error: No such module "Sort".Template:Dagger QB Columbia Pick received from Pittsburgh PiratesTemplate:Efn-ua
6 Script error: No such module "Sort". FB Holy Cross
1940 7 Script error: No such module "Sort".Template:Dagger C Hardin-Simmons
1941 1 Script error: No such module "Sort".* HB Michigan Pick received from Philadelphia Eagles.Template:Efn-ua Did not sign with team.Template:Efn-ua
3 Script error: No such module "Sort". FB Stanford Pick received from Pittsburgh SteelersTemplate:Efn-ua
9 Script error: No such module "Sort". HB Ohio State
1942 10 Script error: No such module "Sort". QB Stanford
1943 9 Script error: No such module "Sort". HB Missouri
1944 9 Script error: No such module "Sort". HB Kansas
1945 11 Script error: No such module "Sort". HB Michigan Chose to play Major League Baseball instead[36]
1946 4 Script error: No such module "Sort". QB Notre Dame
1947 1 Script error: No such module "Sort".* HB Oklahoma A&M Lottery bonus pick[37][14]
11 Script error: No such module "Sort". HB Wisconsin
1948 10 Script error: No such module "Sort". DE Texas
1949 11 Script error: No such module "Sort". C Texas
1950 3 Script error: No such module "Sort". HB Florida Pick received from New York BulldogsTemplate:Efn-ua
10 Script error: No such module "Sort". HB Ohio State
1951 2 Script error: No such module "Sort". QB Notre Dame Pick received from Baltimore ColtsTemplate:Efn-ua
10 Script error: No such module "Sort". HB Bradley Pick received from New York YanksTemplate:Efn-ua
12 Script error: No such module "Sort". WR Virginia
1952 8 Script error: No such module "Sort". HB Miami
1953 6 Script error: No such module "Sort". HB Compton JC
1954 6 Script error: No such module "Sort". HB Illinois
1955 11 Script error: No such module "Sort". HB Marquette
1956 10 Script error: No such module "Sort". E Texas Did not play for the teamTemplate:Efn-ua
1957 13 Script error: No such module "Sort". DT LSU
1958 7 Script error: No such module "Sort".Template:Dagger LB West Virginia
1959 7 Script error: No such module "Sort". HB Ohio State
1960 7 Script error: No such module "Sort". G Syracuse
1961 5 Script error: No such module "Sort".Template:Dagger TE Pittsburgh
1962 7 Script error: No such module "Sort". RB Baylor
1963 11 Script error: No such module "Sort". C Michigan State Original pick traded to Los Angeles Rams.Template:Efn-ua Pick received from Pittsburgh Steelers.Template:Efn-ua Signed for the AFL's Buffalo Bills instead.[26]
1964 14 Script error: No such module "Sort". DT Tennessee
1965 3 Script error: No such module "Sort".Template:Dagger LB Illinois Pick received from Pittsburgh SteelersTemplate:Efn-ua
4 Script error: No such module "Sort".Template:Dagger HB Kansas
6 Script error: No such module "Sort". DE Tennessee Pick received from Washington Redskins.Template:Efn-ua Signed for the AFL's San Diego Chargers instead.[27]
1966 12 Script error: No such module "Sort". DT LSU Signed for the AFL's Houston Oilers instead[28]
1967 10 Script error: No such module "Sort". DE Arkansas
1968 16 Script error: No such module "Sort". FB USC
1969 14 Script error: No such module "Sort". T Ohio State Moved down draft order due to failure to pick within allotted timeTemplate:Efn-ua
1970 Script error: No such module "Sort". Pick traded to Green Bay PackersTemplate:Efn-ua
1971 11 Script error: No such module "Sort". RB Missouri
1972 3 Script error: No such module "Sort". T Southern Illinois Pick received from New York GiantsTemplate:Efn-ua
12 Script error: No such module "Sort". S Iowa
1973 8 Script error: No such module "Sort". DT Eastern Kentucky Additional pick received from Kansas City Chiefs,Template:Efn-ua used to move down draft order in with trade with Detroit Lions,Template:Efn-ua and traded to New England Patriots.Template:Efn-ua
1974 4 Script error: No such module "Sort". LB Tennessee State
20 Script error: No such module "Sort". DE Michigan Pick received from Washington RedskinsTemplate:Efn-ua
1975 4 Script error: No such module "Sort".Template:Dagger HB Jackson State
1976 8 Script error: No such module "Sort". T Wisconsin Moved up draft order in trade with Detroit LionsTemplate:Efn-ua
1977 15 Script error: No such module "Sort". T California
1978 Script error: No such module "Sort". Pick traded to Cleveland BrownsTemplate:Efn-ua
1979 4 Script error: No such module "Sort".Template:Dagger DT Arkansas Pick received from Tampa Bay BuccaneersTemplate:Efn-ua
9 Script error: No such module "Sort". DE Arizona State
1980 19 Script error: No such module "Sort". LB Louisville
1981 11 Script error: No such module "Sort". T USC
1982 5 Script error: No such module "Sort". QB BYU
1983 6 Script error: No such module "Sort".Template:Dagger T Pittsburgh
18 Script error: No such module "Sort". WR Tennessee Pick received from Tampa Bay BuccaneersTemplate:Efn-ua
1984 11 Script error: No such module "Sort". LB Florida
1985 22 Script error: No such module "Sort". DT Clemson
1986 27 Script error: No such module "Sort". RB Florida
1987 26 Script error: No such module "Sort". QB Michigan
1988 23 Script error: No such module "Sort". FB Stanford
27 Script error: No such module "Sort". WR LSU Pick received from Washington RedskinsTemplate:Efn-ua
1989 11 Script error: No such module "Sort". CB Clemson Original pick traded to Miami Dolphins.Template:Efn-ua Pick received from Oakland Raiders.Template:Efn-ua
12 Script error: No such module "Sort". DE Florida Pick received from Washington RedskinsTemplate:Efn-ua
1990 6 Script error: No such module "Sort". S USC
1991 22 Script error: No such module "Sort". T Texas
1992 22 Script error: No such module "Sort". DE Ohio State
1993 7 Script error: No such module "Sort". WR USC
1994 11 Script error: No such module "Sort". DE Alcorn State
1995 21 Script error: No such module "Sort". RB Colorado
1996 13 Script error: No such module "Sort". CB Mississippi State Moved up draft order in trade with St. Louis RamsTemplate:Efn-ua
1997 Script error: No such module "Sort". Pick traded to Seattle SeahawksTemplate:Efn-ua
1998 5 Script error: No such module "Sort". RB Penn State
1999 12 Script error: No such module "Sort". QB UCLA Moved down draft order in trade with Washington RedskinsTemplate:Efn-ua
2000 9 Script error: No such module "Sort".Template:Dagger LB New Mexico
2001 8 Script error: No such module "Sort". WR Michigan
2002 29 Script error: No such module "Sort". T Boston College
2003 14 Script error: No such module "Sort". DE Penn State Moved down draft order in trades with New York JetsTemplate:Efn-ua and New England PatriotsTemplate:Efn-ua
22 Script error: No such module "Sort". QB Florida Pick received from New York JetsTemplate:Efn-ua
2004 14 Script error: No such module "Sort". DT Oklahoma
2005 4 Script error: No such module "Sort". RB Texas
2006 Script error: No such module "Sort". Moved down draft order in trade with Buffalo BillsTemplate:Efn-ua
2007 31 Script error: No such module "Sort". TE Miami
2008 14 Script error: No such module "Sort". T Vanderbilt
2009 Script error: No such module "Sort". Pick traded to Denver BroncosTemplate:Efn-ua
2010 Script error: No such module "Sort". Pick traded to Denver BroncosTemplate:Efn-ua
2011 29 Script error: No such module "Sort". T Wisconsin
2012 19 Script error: No such module "Sort". DE Boise State
2013 20 Script error: No such module "Sort". T Oregon
2014 14 Script error: No such module "Sort". CB Virginia Tech
2015 7 Script error: No such module "Sort". WR West Virginia
2016 9 Script error: No such module "Sort". LB Georgia Moved up draft order in trade with Tampa Bay BuccaneersTemplate:Efn-ua
2017 2 Script error: No such module "Sort". QB North Carolina Moved up draft order in trade with San Francisco 49ersTemplate:Efn-ua
2018 8 Script error: No such module "Sort". LB Georgia
2019 Script error: No such module "Sort". Pick traded to Oakland RaidersTemplate:Efn-ua
2020 Script error: No such module "Sort". Pick traded to Las Vegas RaidersTemplate:Efn-ua
2021 11 Script error: No such module "Sort". QB Ohio State Moved up draft order in trade with New York GiantsTemplate:Efn-ua
2022 Script error: No such module "Sort". Pick traded to New York GiantsTemplate:Efn-ua
2023 10 Script error: No such module "Sort". T Tennessee Moved down draft order in trades with Carolina PanthersTemplate:Efn-ua and Philadelphia EaglesTemplate:Efn-ua
2024 1 Script error: No such module "Sort". QB USC Pick received from Carolina PanthersTemplate:Efn-ua
9 Script error: No such module "Sort". WR Washington
2025 10 Script error: No such module "Sort". TE Michigan

See also

Notes

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References

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