Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of email questions from fans on ChicagoBears.com.
Where do the Bears pick in every round in the 2016 NFL Draft?
Steven C.
Winder, Georgia
The Bears have the 11th overall pick in the first round of the draft. They were one of four teams to finish with a 6-10 record, but they pick last among those four because they had the most difficult strength of schedule. The good news is that the four teams rotate in each round, meaning the Bears will pick eighth in Round 2, ninth in Round 3 and 10th in Round 4 before cycling back to 11th in Round 5, eighth in Round 6 and ninth in Round 7. The Bears also have two additional sixth-round selections they acquired from the Panthers and Patriots in midseason trades for Jared Allen and Jonathan Bostic, respectively. So the Bears have nine picks in the seven-round draft. By the way, the Bears have drafted eight players in the No. 11 spot, with the last four being tackle Keith Van Horne (1981), linebacker Wilber Marshall (1984), cornerback Donnell Woolford (1989) and defensive end John Thierry (1994). The Bears traded the No. 11 pick in 1997 to the Seahawks in exchange for quarterback Rick Mirer. The No. 11 choice in 2010 ended up being part of the package the Bears used to acquire quarterback Jay Cutler a year earlier in a trade with the Broncos.
When was the last time the Bears failed to score a defensive touchdown in a season?
Mark K.
Oak Park, Illinois
This season marked the first time the Bears did not score a defensive touchdown since 1997. I think it's a clear sign of what general manager Ryan Pace discussed Monday at his post-season press conference—the Bears need to add more impact players on defense and plan to do that via the draft and free agency. This year was also the first time the Bears didn't have a player with more than two interceptions since 1975, another indication that game-changers are sorely needed.
Who do you think will be the next Bears player in the Hall of Fame?
Will L.
Elgin, Illinois
I don't think there's any doubt that it will be middle linebacker Brian Urlacher, who will be eligible in 2018. With that being said, I think that former Bears center Jay Hilgenberg also should get some Hall of Fame consideration. I know it's hard to judge or compare offensive linemen because they really don't have any stats, but Hilgenberg started seven straight Pro Bowls, was named first-team All-Pro five times and anchored a line that helped lead the Bears in rushing for four straight seasons from 1983-86. I would say that that makes Hilgenberg Hall of Fame-worthy.
