Chalk Talk: Who was Bears' last local pick?

[Staley Da Bear]

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.


When was the last time the Bears drafted a player who grew up in the Chicago area?
Reginald P.
Chicago


Tight end Cole Kmet, who grew up in Lake Barrington and attended St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights, is the first Chicago-area native drafted by the Bears since 2010 when quarterback Dan LeFevour was chosen in the sixth round. LeFevour grew up in Downers Grove and attended Benet Academy in Lisle. Kmet is the first local player taken with the Bears' first pick since Dennis Lick was selected with the eighth choice in the first round of the 1976 draft. Lick grew up in Chicago and attended St. Rita High School.


Did the Bears consider or come close to picking a quarterback in the draft?
Ross K.
Muskegon, Michigan


During a conference call with the media, general manager Ryan Pace explained to reporters that the Bears didn't pick a quarterback this year because their draft board didn't align the right way. Said Pace: "Every draft, different positions, there are strengths and weaknesses. But for us to take any position, it just has to align for us the right way. So, sometimes there's players we like at that position and the board doesn't fall that way for us. That's what happened for this draft and we're OK with it because we came away with seven players that we're really excited about … The board fell a certain way. We have to be disciplined with it and that's just the way it played out."


What are the most picks the Bears have ever had in one round of the draft?
Paul A.
Oak Lawn, Illinois


The most picks the Bears have ever made in one round of a draft is five in the seventh round in 2008. They selected defensive end Ervin Baldwin (No. 208), guard Chester Adams (222), linebacker Joey LaRocque (243), tackle Kirk Barton (247) and receiver Marcus Monk (248). The 208th pick was acquired in a trade with the Dolphins and the final three choices were compensatory selections. LaRocque played in 10 career NFL games, all for the Bears in 2008. Barton appeared in just one NFL contest, also for the Bears in 2008. Baldwin, Adams and Monk never played in an NFL regular-season game.


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