Chicago Bears: Top 10 draft busts of the 21st century
By Ryan Heckman
10. Linebacker/Defensive End Shea McClellin, Boise State
She McClellin was drafted in round one by the Bears back in 2012 at no. 12 overall. The Boise State product was noted as quite the reach, and was labeled as mostly a second or third round talent by many. Still, general manager Phil Emery made his move.
"“He showed us some natural things that the other ends did not show us to as high a level,” Emery said, following the draft. “His ability to bend, his pad level, to get from blocker to ball, to close the gap as quickly as possible … we felt was better than most of the rest of the class.”"
McClellin was supposed to be a guy to come in and provide an immediate spark to the pass rush. In his final two season with the Broncos, he compiled 16.5 sacks. The Bears saw him as an upgrade at defensive end, and eventually outside linebacker, but he never panned out.
In four seasons with the Bears, McClellin posted a total of 7.5 sacks.
He failed to intercept a pass and ended his Bears career with just two passes defended.
Chandler Jones, Harrison Smith, Janoris Jenkins and Bobby Wagner were all notable picks to go later in the first or early in the second round following the McClellin pick in 2012. Hindsight is 20/20, but my goodness, what an awful pick that was.