Chicago Bears history with top ten draft picks

Credit: Garrett Reid-USA TODAY Sports

1936-1949

During these early years, there were just ten teams so everyone picked in the top ten. I will just highlight the notable picks.

Even so, the Bears picked a couple of excellent players.

In the first draft in 1936, the Bears did well. Their first ever player picked was “Jumbo Joe” Stydahar, a tackle out of West Virginia at number six.

Stydahar may not be well known now, but he is a member of the Football Hall of Fame.

Stydahar played for the Bears from 1936-1943, then from 1945-1946. He was a four-time All Star selection, six-time All Pro. He helped the Bears win four championships, and was named to the 1930’s All Decade Team, the 50th Anniversary All-Time Team and the 75th Anniversary All-Time Team.

Not bad for the first-ever pick.

In 1939, the Bears selected quarterback Sid Luckman out of Columbia. Another great pick, as Luckman was another Hall of Famer. He was selected second overall, and played for the Bears from 1939-1950.

When you see Jay Cutler breaking Chicago Bears passing records, he is breaking Luckman’s records. He was known as the first modern T-formation quarterback.

The Bears selected another Hall of Famer in 1940 with the selection of center/linebacker Clyde Turner out of Hardin-Simmons at seventh overall.

One interesting pick was in 1948. They got Hall of Fame quarterback Bobby Layne. He only played with the Bears for one year, in which he was THIRD string, before the Bears traded him, and he became one of the top quarterbacks in the history of the NFL.

Next: 1950-1964