Chicago Bears: Is this their best draft stretch in over 30 years?

The Chicago Bears are suddenly going back to the playoffs for the first time in eight years. Something like that doesn’t happen overnight.

At least not without a sudden change in fortunes during the NFL draft. From 2010 to 2014, the Bears experienced their worst stretch of selecting since the early to mid-1990s. Only two players emerged from the rubble of that time to be on the roster. That being guard Kyle Long and cornerback Kyle Fuller. Everybody else was either cut, traded, or allowed to hit free agency.

GM Ryan Pace has changed that. After two uneven drafts in 2015 and 2016, he seems to have hit his stride the past two years. These haven’t been just good classes. They’ve been franchise-altering. The caliber of classes that this franchise hasn’t seen in over 30 years. Not since the iconic 1983 run that saw them snag icons like Richard Dent, Jimbo Covert, and Dave Duerson among others.

How special is it? Just take a look at what the group has already accomplished.

2017:

Mitch Trubisky – A Pro Bowl alternate in his second year, Trubisky has thrown for over 3,000 yards, rushed for over 300 and accounted for 27 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. He’s 7-0 since the end of October and the unquestioned leader of that locker room.

Eddie Jackson – A Pro Bowl starter. Jackson is becoming one of the top safeties in the NFL before the very eyes of everybody. He has six interceptions on the season along with three defensive touchdowns. Two of which clinched critical wins over the Vikings and Rams.

Tarik Cohen – Fast becoming one of the most feared offensive weapons in the NFL. He’s a Pro Bowl punt returner but is even more dangerous in this new Matt Nagy offense. He has 1,137 yards from scrimmage this season with seven touchdowns.

2018:

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Roquan Smith – Despite having no training camp to prepare, Smith is already a Pro Bowl alternate in his rookie year. He’s nine tackles away from setting the franchise record for most ever by a rookie. A mark held by Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher.

James Daniels – He’s 21-years old and didn’t even begin the season as the starter. Since entering the lineup though he has been among the least generous guards in the NFL, still not allowing a sack so far in 2018. Given his youth, far better days should be ahead.

Anthony Miller – He hasn’t been overly consisted this year, but there’s no denying that Miller is money when it comes time to finish a drive. Seven of his 33 catches this season have resulted in a touchdown. He has a chance to be special as he grows within the offense.

Joel Iyiegbuniwe – People jumped on Pace for drafting this kid after taking Smith earlier. As it turns out, the Bears may have had an ulterior motive. Iyiegbuniwe has found his place on the roster swiftly, becoming their leading tackler on special teams.

Bilal Nichols – The kid from Delaware was viewed as little more as a project when he arrived in the 5th round. It didn’t take him long to become one of their most impactful reserves this season, boasting three sacks and multiple tackles for a loss on limited snaps.

Looking over this entire group, the Bears have landed four players who are already in the Pro Bowl conversation. Two others are flashing signs of being there in the near future while one is a potential special teams stalwart and a possible future starter. Getting that much from two drafts is what teams often dream of. While it remains to be seen how truly good this run will be, it’s clear the potential is astronomical.

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