The Chicago Bears have had their fair share of misses in the first round over the past decade. Just to put it in perspective: three of the last 10 first-round picks were quarterbacks, a sign of Chicago’s QB struggles. The Bears have found defensive superstars in Roquan Smith and landed what seems to be their next franchise quaterback in Caleb Williams, and exciting young weapons like Rome Odunze and Colston Loveland; Chicago has used the draft to reshape its roster. The Bears’ recent draft history is volatile—rankings will shift as young players develop.

As with the rest of this series, we’re not gonna rank Chicago’s 2026 first-round pick, Dillon Thieneman, as he hasn’t taken the field yet. Here’s a ranking of the Bears’ 10 most recent first-round picks, from best to worst.

1. Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia – 2018 NFL Draft

Smith is the clear choice for the No. 1 on this list. The Bears selected him eighth overall in 2018, and he quickly became the centerpiece of their defense. His combination of speed, instincts and physicality made him one of the most impactful linebackers in the NFL.

Smith spent five seasons in Chicago, recording 607 tackles, 16.5 sacks, seven interceptions and 47 tackles for loss. He earned First-Team All-Pro honors in 2022, when he was traded to the Baltimore Ravens during the season. His dominance in Chicago and continued success after leaving the team make him the best Bears first-round pick of this group.

2. Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech – 2014 NFL Draft

Kyle Fuller was one of the Bears’ best defensive picks of the past decade after being taken 14th overall in 2014. Fuller immediately became a starter and developed into a physical, ball-hawking cornerback who consistently competed against the league’s top receivers.

During his six seasons in Chicago, Fuller recorded 390 tackles, 19 interceptions and 82 passes defended. He earned two Pro Bowl selections and First-Team All-Pro honors in 2018, establishing himself as one of the NFL’s premier cornerbacks during his peak.

3. Caleb Williams, QB, USC – 2024 NFL Draft

The Bears finally landed the franchise quaterback they had been searching for when they selected Williams first overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Williams entered Chicago with enormous expectations after winning the 2022 Heisman Trophy and being viewed as one of the most talented quaterback prospects in years.

The early signs are all pointing upwards. With the arrival of head coach Ben Johnson, Williams took a jump in his second year in the NFL. He showed the arm talent, creativity and mobility that made him the consensus No. 1 pick as he developed into the centerpiece of Chicago’s new era. After leading the Bears to the playoffs and a postseason win during his second season, Williams has quickly established himself as one of the NFL’s most promising young quarterbacks.

4. Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee – 2023 NFL Draft

The Bears selected Darnell Wright 10th overall in 2023 to provide stability along the offensive line. Wright has become the starter at right tackle and has continued to show why he was a first-round pick with his mauling presence in the run game.

Wright’s combination of size, power and athleticism makes him a valuable part of the running game, which fits the Johnson offense perfectly. His pass protection isn’t up to par with his run blocking, but it’s steadily improved. Wright’s development has been a major reason for optimism surrounding Chicago’s offensive line.

5. Rome Odunze, WR, Washington – 2024 NFL Draft

The Bears couldn’t have asked for a better start to their new era at quarterback. After taking Williams first overall, Chicago took Odunze ninth overall, giving its young quaterback another elite weapon.

Odunze entered the NFL following a crazy final year at Washington. Odunze has great route-running and ball skills that give him No. 1 receiver potential, making him a first-round pick. Odunze has the opportunity to become the foundational weapon for the Bears’ offense.

6. Leonard Floyd, EDGE, Georgia – 2016 NFL Draft

The Bears selected Leonard Floyd ninth overall in 2016, betting on his rare length, speed and athleticism — a typical first-round edge. Floyd became an important part of Chicago’s defense and developed into a decent pass rusher during his four years with the team.

Floyd recorded 18.5 sacks, 26 tackles for loss and 44 quarterback hits with the Bears. Although he reached another level after leaving Chicago, Floyd provided consistent production and became a reliable starter during his time in the Windy City.

7. Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan – 2025 NFL Draft

It’s still early in Loveland’s career, but the former Michigan standout has already given the Bears plenty of reason to be excited about his future. Chicago selected Loveland 10th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, adding another weapon to an offense built around Williams.

Loveland entered the NFL with excellent receiving ability, athleticism and the versatility to line up all over the formation. As he continues developing, he has the potential to become one of Williams’ most important targets and one of the league’s premier young tight ends.

8. Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State – 2021 NFL Draft

The Bears traded up to select Justin Fields 11th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, hoping the former Ohio State star would finally solve their long-running quaterback problems. Fields’ elite athleticism and tremendous arm talent made him one of the most exciting prospects in the class.

Fields’ ability as a runner was never in question. Fields became one of the NFL’s most dangerous rushing quarterbacks, but inconsistent passing and instability around him prevented his overall game from developing as Chicago hoped. He spent three seasons with the Bears, throwing for 6,674 yards and 40 touchdowns while rushing for 2,220 yards and 14 touchdowns before being traded to Pittsburgh.

9. Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina – 2017 NFL Draft

The Bears made one of the most interesting draft-day decisions of the last decade when they traded up to select Mitchell Trubisky second overall in 2017. Chicago passed on future stars Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson to make Trubisky the centerpiece of its franchise.

Trubisky did experience some success, particularly during the 2018 season when he earned a Pro Bowl selection and helped lead Chicago to a 12-4 record and an NFC North title. However, his inconsistency as a passer ultimately prevented him from becoming the franchise quaterback the Bears hoped to find. He finished his Chicago career with 10,609 passing yards, 64 touchdowns and 37 interceptions.

10. Kevin White, WR, West Virginia – 2015 NFL Draft

The Bears selected Kevin White seventh overall in the 2015 NFL Draft, hoping they had found the next great No. 1 receiver. Coming off a spectacular season at West Virginia, White possessed the size, speed and athleticism to become a dominant NFL wideout.

Unfortunately, injuries completely derailed his time in Chicago. White had 187 yards in his second season and appeared in just 14 games across three seasons with the Bears. He finished his Chicago career with only 25 receptions for 285 yards, never finding the consistency the Bears expected from a top-10 pick.