Best draft picks in Chicago Bears history
Stacker compiled a list of the best draft picks in Chicago Bears history using career Weighted Approximate Value (wAV), a metric developed by Pro-Football-Reference.com to estimate career impact. The ranking also lists individual accolades such as Pro Bowl selections, First-Team All-Pro honors, and total years as a starter. Players were assigned to their originally drafted teams, excluding any draft-day trades. Data is as of April 2026.
#10. Chuck Howley (1958, Round 1, Pick 7)
- Position: LB
- Career wAV: 94
- Pro Bowls: 6
- First-Team All-Pro: 5
- Games Played: 180
- Seasons as Starter: 12
#9. George Blanda (1949, Round 12, Pick 119)
- Position: QB
- Career wAV: 97
- Pro Bowls: 4
- First-Team All-Pro: 1
- Games Played: 340
- Seasons as Starter: 9
#7. Lance Briggs (2003, Round 3, Pick 68) (tie)
- Position: LB
- Career wAV: 98
- Pro Bowls: 7
- First-Team All-Pro: 1
- Games Played: 173
- Seasons as Starter: 12
#7. Richard Dent (1983, Round 8, Pick 203) (tie)
- Position: DE
- Career wAV: 98
- Pro Bowls: 4
- First-Team All-Pro: 1
- Games Played: 203
- Seasons as Starter: 10
#6. Wilber Marshall (1984, Round 1, Pick 11)
- Position: LB
- Career wAV: 99
- Pro Bowls: 3
- First-Team All-Pro: 2
- Games Played: 179
- Seasons as Starter: 10
#5. Dan Hampton (1979, Round 1, Pick 4)
- Position: DE
- Career wAV: 102
- Pro Bowls: 4
- First-Team All-Pro: 1
- Games Played: 157
- Seasons as Starter: 11
#4. Jim Tyrer (1961, Round 14, Pick 188)
- Position: T
- Career wAV: 107
- Pro Bowls: 9
- First-Team All-Pro: 6
- Games Played: 194
- Seasons as Starter: 13
#3. Brian Urlacher (2000, Round 1, Pick 9)
- Position: LB
- Career wAV: 119
- Pro Bowls: 8
- First-Team All-Pro: 4
- Games Played: 182
- Seasons as Starter: 12
#2. Mike Singletary (1981, Round 2, Pick 38)
- Position: LB
- Career wAV: 124
- Pro Bowls: 10
- First-Team All-Pro: 7
- Games Played: 179
- Seasons as Starter: 12
#1. Walter Payton (1975, Round 1, Pick 4)
- Position: RB
- Career wAV: 127
- Pro Bowls: 9
- First-Team All-Pro: 5
- Games Played: 190
- Seasons as Starter: 13
