Here's How Every Chicago Bears GM Did In Their Third Draft

To say this 2017 draft coming up is a big one would be an understatement of the year. Nobody knows this better than Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace. He knew exactly what he was getting into when he took the job in 2015. Not only had he inherited the oldest roster in the NFL, but also a fan base that had been badly scarred by some of the most divisive, effortless football the organization had ever put on a field. There were bound to be road blocks. Per usual the league did not disappoint. His first two years have been marred by inconsistency, lack of discipline and rampant injuries. Such are the realities often encountered during a full-scale rebuild. Still, Pace knows that that his good faith period is coming to a close. In this modern era teams are expected to show signs of progress by their third season under a given regime. Pace is feeling that pressure after his team just finished 3-13. Given the stakes, it's clear that this upcoming draft, his third, is by far the most important he's faced. Thus begs the question. How did other previous Bears GMs fair in their third years?

Jim Finks - 1977 Draft

These days diehard Bears fans remember Jim Finks as the architect of the 1985 Bears squad. That's fair. However, it's important not to revere him too much. It actually took him a long time to pull the franchise out of the muck. Maybe a little longer than it should've. After an outstanding debut in 1975 that saw him land Walter Payton, Finks had back-to-back average drafts. The one in 1977 was highlighted by a decent starting offensive lineman in Ted Albrecht. Beyond that? Not much. It's somewhat ironic that Finks left the team after 1983, the greatest and last draft of his career. Almost a decade after he took over the franchise. Most GMs don't get that luxury of time these days.

Jerry Vainisi - 1986 Draft

Forever known as the man who took over for Finks and had to deal with the slowly deteriorating relationship between the McCaskey ownership and head coach Mike Ditka. All of them were jockeying for power in the aftermath of Finks leaving and George Halas dying. Yet in that flux Vainisi managed to keep the train on the tracks. His third and last season produced a decent crop, highlighted by four-time Pro Bowl running back Neal Anderson. This would keep the team competitive through the rest of the decade.

Bill Tobin - 1989 Draft

A man who never seems to get the credit he deserves. Bill Tobin was a solid executive for the Bears across several years. He strung their playoff success into the early '90s, though he was unable to replicate their Super Bowl dreams. His 1989 class was among the more underappreciated in franchise history. Donnell Woolford became a Pro Bowler and Trace Armstrong was their best pass rusher for a number of years. Tobin though has always been a guy who could hit singles and doubles but never found that home run swing. [video width="854" height="480" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/8-Marty-Bookers-One-Handed-Catch-vs.-the-Lions-Top-10-Greatest-Catches-of-All-Time-NFL-Films.mp4"][/video]

Mark Hatley - 1999 Draft

This GM is the perfect encapsulation of "too little, too late." Mark Hatley looked like he might be finding a rhythm in 1999. He'd found Olin Kreutz the previous year. A few hits in this draft and he'd have the Bears pointed in the right direction. He almost did it too. Marty Booker was a Pro Bowl receiver. Roosevelt Colvin became a dangerous edge rusher on defense. Unfortunately all of that was offset by the awful selection of Cade McNown in the first round. Still arguably the greatest draft bust in franchise history. The ironic part is Hatley followed that with his 2000 class, one that featured Brian Urlacher and Mike Brown. By then though he'd missed the window. [video width="854" height="480" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Charles-Tillmans-Peanut-Punch-Turnover-Machine-Highlights-NFL.mp4"][/video]

Jerry Angelo - 2003 Draft

Hatley's replacement though comes more along the lines of "close but no cigar." His 2003 class could've challenged the 1983 group for being the best ever in Chicago history. Charles Tillman became the greatest corner the Bears have ever had, picking off 38 passes. Lance Briggs is a seven-time Pro Bowler. Sadly Angelo got off to a slow start by taking Michael Hayes and Rex Grossman in the first round. It seems fitting then that the class propelled the team to Super Bowl XLI, where they fell just short.

Phil Emery - 2014 Draft

If it hasn't become clear yet, the third draft tends to sum up a GMs' time in charge perfectly. For Phil Emery it's no different. One long string of "meh." The 2014 draft class seemed to have so much potential with defensive standouts like Kyle Fuller, Ego Ferguson and Brock Vereen. Not to mention productive running back Ka'Deem Carey and large punter Pat O'Donnell. It's amazing to think that Charles Leno Jr., the final pick of that class may end up being the most productive. A little sad too when one thinks about it.