The Chicago Bears are gearing up for the 2025 NFL draft, where they’re slated to have seven picks, including four in the Top 75.
That all starts with the 10th overall pick, which marks the third straight year that Chicago has a top-10 selection. Last year, they landed quarterback Caleb Williams (No. 1) and receiver Rome Odunze (No. 10). This year, they’re looking for the best player available to further shore up the roster.
When looking at the history of the No. 10 pick, there have been some star players selected, including a future Hall of Fame quarterback, but there have also been some failures. Can the Bears turn this next selection into a star? Only time will tell.
Here’s a look at every player drafted 10th overall in the last 10 years dating back to 2015.
2024: QB J.J. McCarthy (Vikings)
J.J. McCarthy didn’t play a regular-season snap after suffering a torn meniscus in his right knee during the preseason. He was competing for the starting job for veteran Sam Darnold, who went on to have a Pro Bowl season leading the Vikings to a 14-3 record and playoff appearance. With Darnold now in Seattle, it looks like McCarthy is in line to start for Minnesota.
2023: RT Darnell Wright (Bears)
The Bears traded back from the No. 9 spot in this draft, where they landed an extra fourth rounder while passing on Jalen Carter. But they also got a franchise right tackle in Darnell Wright, who was the lone spot in the offensive trenches last season and graded out as the NFL’s fifth-best right tackle, according to Pro Football Focus. Wright has been a two-year starter since his rookie season, and he’ll now benefit from the addition of veteran guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson.
2022: WR Garrett Wilson (Jets)
The Jets have been in quarterback hell for some time, but Garrett Wilson has been absolute money for New York since being drafted. Wilson, who was a star at Ohio State, started all 17 games and posted 95 receptions for 1,042 yards and three touchdowns during his rookie season, where he also went on to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. Wilson has posted 1,000-plus receiving yards in each of his first three seasons, and he’s poised to receive a massive pay day.
2021: WR DeVonta Smith (Eagles)
DeVonta Smith continues the recent trend of star wide receivers selected at 10th overall. He’s been a true playmaker for Jalen Hurts and the Eagles offense, where he’s eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in two of his first four seasons (and no less than 833 yards, which came in 2024). Smith played a key role in Philadelphia’s Super Bowl run as part of a 1-2 punch with A.J. Brown.
2020: OT Jedrick Wills (Browns)
Jedrick Wills is the first failure on this list. He was highly touted coming out of Alabama, but he was highly scrutinized during his five-year tenure with Cleveland, which included questions about his commitment to the game and injury concerns in recent years. Wills is currently a free agent looking for a new team after his rookie contract, that included a fifth year option, with Cleveland ended.
2019: LB Devin Bush (Steelers)
Devin Bush showed plenty of promise in his rookie season, but his time in Pittsburgh didn’t outlast his rookie deal. In his rookie season, Bush started 15 games, totaling 109 tackles, including nine tackles for loss, and showed promise. After suffering a torn ACL in his second season, his production fell off with the Steelers, and he joined the Seahawks in free agency. But Bush seems to have found some resurgence since joining the Browns, who recently re-signed him to a one-year deal.
2018: QB Josh Rosen (Cardinals)
This is the biggest bust on this list. Josh Rosen was considered by some to be the “most NFL ready” quarterback in the 2018 class, which couldn’t have aged worst with Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson’s emergences. Rosen was a disaster in his rookie season, throwing for 2,278 yards, 11 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, a 66.7 passer rating, which was the worst among qualifying passers and going 3-10 as a starter. The good news? Arizona was so bad in his rookie season that they went on to land the No. 1 overall pick and Kyler Murray in the 2019 NFL draft.
2017: QB Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs)
This one will forever sting for Bears fans. After trading up one spot to select Mitchell Trubisky, the Chiefs were able to land Patrick Mahomes with the 10th overall pick. Mahomes needs to introduction, and his resume is a long one. He’s a three-time Super Bowl champion and three-time Super Bowl MVP, a two-time NFL MVP, two-time First-Team All-Pro, six-time Pro Bowler, 2018 NFL Offensive Player of the Year and is a future Hall of Famer.
2016: CB Eli Apple (Giants)
Eli Apple is certainly a recognizable name, but not in the way he’d probably like. He’s another failed top-10 pick who only lasted three seasons with the Giants before he was traded to the Saints during the 2018 season. Apple was made infamous after allowing Cooper Kupp to score the game-winning touchdown as the Rams defeated the Bengals in Super Bowl LVI. He has spent time with six teams since entering the league, and he’s currently a free agent.
2015: RB Todd Gurley (Rams)
For all intents and purposes, Todd Gurley was a stud pick at 10th overall given his early resume. Gurley had an impressive rookie season, where he 1,106 yards in 13 games, earning him Offensive Rookie of the Year, Pro Bowl and Second-Team All-Pro nods. He went on to be a two-time First-Team All-Pro, three-time Pro Bowler, 2017 NFL Offensive Player of the Year and two-time NFL rushing touchdowns leader (2017-18). But a lingering knee issue spelled the end of his tenure with Los Angeles, and he was never the same.
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