The Bears say they aren`t going to package their three No. 1 choices to move up in the National Football League draft on April 23. The draft history of the 1980s supports the decision.
But sometimes you have to wonder.
Presumably, they could trade their 11th and 12th picks and move up to the No. 2 spot, held by the Green Bay Packers, or the No. 3 spot, held by the Detroit Lions, or the No. 4 spot, held by the Kansas City Chiefs.
More Top Picks Best Premium Recovery Sandals For Plantar Fasciitis 2
That would give the Bears a shot at Michigan State offensive tackle Tony Mandarich, Florida State cornerback Deion Sanders or Oklahoma State running back Barry Sanders.
The Packers and the Lions have expressed a willingness to listen to such a deal from the Bears. But the Bears aren`t pursuing it.
”We will not do that,” personnel director Bill Tobin said.
Besides guaranteeing a blue-chipper such as Mandarich, the Bears would save money by trading in two first-round contracts for one.
”Saving money has never been one of our considerations,” Tobin said.
”As far as moving up, I think there are enough players to stretch through 12 and we can get two fine players rather than ending up with one fine player.”
The Bears` recent track record of solid choices and rare mistakes supports Tobin`s view. But still, you have to wonder.
Having the 11th, 12th and 25th picks in the first round puts the Bears in the most envious position in the draft. But it doesn`t guarantee anything. The draft never does.
In fact, a look at the 11th, 12th and 25th picks of the 1980s provides an excellent example of how the draft often is an overrated tool. Contrary to the inflated hopes of fans, No. 1 draft choices rarely provide the immediate impact that puts a team into a Super Bowl.
Of the 27 players drafted 11th, 12th and 25th during the 1980s, only two have played in the Pro Bowl. One is former Bear Wilber Marshall; the other is offensive tackle Jim Lachey.
That`s no more Pro Bowlers than were produced by the 11th, 12th and 25th picks of the second round during the same period: San Francisco`s Keena Turner and Eric Wright.
So why not package the 11th and 12th picks of the first round for the No. 2 pick? If Green Bay would do it, and assuming Dallas makes Troy Aikman the No. 1 choice in the draft, the move would give the Bears one sure thing.
Mandarich is described as the best offensive line prospect ever. Deion Sanders is called the best cornerback in 20 or 30 years. Barry Sanders is the Heisman Trophy winner and set NCAA yardage records.
Again, history urges caution. Of the nine No. 2 picks of the 1980s, only four have made the Pro Bowl: Cornelius Bennett, Bill Fralic, Eric Dickerson and Lawrence Taylor.
In only three of the nine drafts would swapping the 11th and 12th picks for the second have made good sense, even with the advantage of perfect hindsight.
In 1981, it would have been worth giving up Keith Van Horne (11th) and Randy McMillan (12th) for Taylor.
In 1983, anyone would have traded Tim Lewis (11th) and Tony Hunter (12th) for Dickerson.
In 1987, it would have been good business to spend Shawn Knight (11th)
and Danny Noonan (12th) for Bennett.
In 1985, it`s debatable whether Fralic would have been worth giving up for Richard Johnson (11th) and Lachey (12th).
In all other years, it is fairly obvious that the two players proved better than the one, or they still have a chance to prove it. So when Bears coach Mike Ditka hears about how great Deion Sanders is, he responds:
”I already had the best in 20, 30, 40 and 50 years, so Deion Sanders is not better than Walter Payton. Best cornerback? There`s been good corners come out that nobody ever knew about. I`ve seen guys play who got to the Hall of Fame, like Willie Brown, who nobody knew about.”
More Top Picks Best Curling Irons
The Bears never figured Marshall would drop to No. 11 in the 1984 draft. They had him graded much higher and would have taken him higher. They never figured Neal Anderson would slip to No. 27 in the 1986 draft. He was the sixth running back taken that year, but he wasn`t No. 6 on the Bears` list.
So it is difficult to second-guess the Bears` desire to go for three No. 1 picks instead of packaging them to move up.
But wondering about it is part of the fun. As Tobin himself said:
”You`re looking for superstars, difference-makers. And you better take them when you have the opportunity. There`s only a few every year who are truly difference-makers.”