• For the record, Ryan Pace’s first-round drafting history isn’t all bad. Linebacker Roquan Smith has been solid from the jump and is coming off a second-team All-Pro campaign in 2020. Leonard Floyd didn’t become the fearsome pass-rusher Bears fans were hoping he would turn into after the team slid up in the 2016 NFL Draft to take him, but he was a nice complimentary edge defender across from Khalil Mack. But a common tread throughout Pace’s first-round picks is that they weren’t as good as they could’ve been. And while I suppose many teams can say that about many picks, Pace’s picks stand out as not getting as much value as one would expect out of a player taken where they went. If history repeats itself, this very well could be Pace’s final draft with the Bears.
George Blanda, quarterback/kicker (1949 12th round)
Blanda spent the first 10 seasons of his NFL record 26-year career with the Bears from 1949-58. He exited as the franchise s all-time leading scorer with 541 points, but now ranks fifth. Blanda was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1981.
Joe Fortunato, linebacker (1952 seventh round)
Fortunato was voted to five Pro Bowls in 12 seasons with the Bears from 1955-66 and was named to the NFL s All-Decade Team for the 1950s. He was a key member of the 1963 NFL Championship team. Fortunato recorded 16 interceptions and 22 fumble recoveries during his career.
Stan Jones, guard (1953 fifth round)
Jones played 12 of his 13 NFL seasons with the Bears from 1954-65. He was voted to seven Pro Bowls and was a three-time first-team All-Pro. He was a key member of the Bears 1963 championship squad and was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 1991.