Chicago Bears: Top 10 draft picks in franchise history

3. Doug Plank, Safety: 12th round, No. 291 overall, 1975

Full disclosure here; Doug Plank was one of my favorite players. I was just getting into football and watching Plank hit people was incredible. The man was a hitting machine. Watching him and fellow safety Gary Fencik was a pleasure.

Plank is probably the best-valued draft picks the Bears ever had. He is one of only two Bears rookies to lead the team in tackles. The other was Brian Urlacher. To be able to play 101 games and know that he didn’t play more only because his body just couldn’t take any more of those huge hits is a big accomplishment.

Plank launched himself like a missile on ball carriers and did a good job of separating the ball from that carrier. Additionally, he was a ball hawk. He had 15 interceptions and 14 fumble recoveries in his career.

Plank was notable for having the vaunted Bears 46-defense named after him and his jersey number. Defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan loved how Plank played the game. It wasn’t just the hard hits he loved, it was also the versatility he gave Ryan. Ryan’s scheme depended on versatility and aggression and Plank was a perfect example of what Ryan wanted.

Ryan’s 46-defense became what many considered to be the greatest defense in NFL history and was the main conductor of the Bears’ 1985 Super Bowl run. Sadly, Plank’s body couldn’t take all the hits long enough to be a contributor in that super season.