Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of questions from fans on ChicagoBears.com.
Did the Bears consider drafting a kicker?
Paul K.
Rockford, Illinois
Bears general manager Ryan Pace said he did consider drafting a kicker, but it did not come to fruition because a kicker was never the highest player on the Bears' board when it was their turn to pick. There were two kickers selected in the draft, both in the fifth round—Utah's Matt Gay by the Buccaneers at No. 145 and Oklahoma's Austin Seibert by the Browns at No. 170. The Bears did not have a pick in the fifth round, not selecting between No. 126 when they chose Georgia receiver Riley Ridley in the fourth round and No. 205 when they picked Kansas State cornerback Duke Shelley in the sixth round. Asked after the draft whether he had considered picking a kicker, Pace said: "We did, and if the board would've fell that way it would have been something we considered. It didn't, but we are increasing competition there. We're just going to add to that and let it all battle it out." The Bears are expected to sign an undrafted rookie this week, giving them four kickers on the roster. Earlier this offseason they signed Redford Jones, Chris Blewitt and Elliott Fry.
Who have been players recently drafted with the No. 73 pick the Bears used to select Iowa State running back David Montgomery?
Duane R.
Hammond, Indiana
In the last 10 drafts prior to this year, three running backs have been selected at No. 73: Kenyan Drake by the Dolphins (2016), Tevin Coleman by the Falcons (2015) and Stevan Ridley by the Patriots (2011). The other seven players chosen in that same timeframe are linebacker Jerome Baker by the Dolphins (2018), defensive end Jordan Willis by the Bengals (2017), linebacker Preston Brown by the Bills (2014), quarterback Mike Glennon by the Buccaneers (2013), safety Brandon Taylor by the Chargers (2012), tackle John Jerry by the Dolphins (2010) and cornerback Derek Cox by the Jaguars (2009).
When was the last time the Bears chose two offensive players with their first two draft picks?
Dan L.
Barrington, Illinois
In running back David Montgomery and receiver Riley Ridley, the Bears selected two offensive players with their first two picks for only the second time in the last 11 drafts. The only other time was in 2017 when the Bears picked quarterback Mitchell Trubisky in the first round and tight end Adam Shaheen in the second.
