#4 Pick
- Johnny Lujack (QB, Notre Dame, 1946)
- Gale Sayers (RB, Kansas, 1965)
- Waymond Bryant (LB, Tennessee State, 1974)
- Walter Payton (RB, Jackson State, 1975)
- Dan Hampton (DT, Arkansas, 1979)
- Cedric Benson (RB, Texas, 2005)
Of the top five picks in the NFL draft, historically the Chicago Bears have enjoyed the most success with the #4 selection. It’s not even close too. Three of their franchise Hall of Fame players came via that choice. Gale Sayers and Walter Payton, the two most iconic running backs in Chicago history both arrived as 4th picks. They are joined by Hall of Fame defensive lineman Dan Hampton who was a lynch pin in the famed “46” defense that paved the way to a Super Bowl title in 1985.
Unfortunately the last time the Bears held this pick may have ended up being one of the most regretable draft moves in team history. At the time many applauded the idea of taking standout running back Cedric Benson. This despite serious off-the-field concerns. He of course ended up being a pretty big bust. What makes it worse though is the fact the team passed on a young quarterback out of Cal to take him that year. His name was Aaron Rodgers.