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NFL Draft: Greatest pick from each franchise’s history

By Hans Themistode

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 22: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals catches a pass prior to the NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at State Farm Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 22: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals catches a pass prior to the NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at State Farm Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /
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Walter Payton
Walter Payton (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

NFL Draft: Greatest pick from each franchise’s history: Chicago Bears, RB Walter Payton

Pick: 1975 NFL Draft, 1st round number 4 overall

Stats:

  • 16,726 rushing yards
  • 110 touchdowns

Awards:

  • 9 time Pro Bowler
  • 1 time MVP
  • 5 time First Team All-Pro

If this was a list of the top 10 draft picks in Chicago Bears history, the overwhelming majority would be defensive players. There were simply a plethora of outstanding ballplayers on the defensive side of the field who were drafted by the franchise. While it pained us to skip over guys such as Brian Urlacher and Mike Singletary, Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton couldn’t be ignored.

Chosen with the fourth overall pick in the 1975 draft out of Jacksonville State, Payton started off slow. His playing time was kept to a minimum as he was buried on the depth chart. In year two, however, he became their go-to man.

The game plan was simple. Stop opposing offenses and hand the ball to number 34. Things worked out perfectly as he was a member of the legendary 85 Bears team that took home the Lombardi trophy. In addition to that, Payton was amongst a handful of running backs to win the NFL MVP award during his career.

It’s impossible to talk about the game’s greatest backs without mentioning his name. Even with decades on the sidelines, his 16,726 rushing yards rank second all-time.

The Chicago Bears history may be known for their ridiculous defenses but it was actually an offensive player who tops the list of the greatest draft pick in franchise history.

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