Here is the second in a five-part series examining the Chicago Bears' five best-and-worst first round draft choices since 2000.
No. 4 Best:
Name: Tommie Harris, DT, Oklahoma
Pick: 14
Year: 2004
Seasons with Bears: 2004-10
Summary: One of the NFL’s most disruptive defensive tackles from 2004-07, Harris earned three trips to the Pro Bowl (’05, ’06, ’07) with 19.5 sacks in four seasons. Prototypical three-technique in Lovie Smith’s Tampa-2 defense. Harris thrived in Chicago until he secured a four-year, $40 million contract in June, 2008. It went downhill after that due to chronic injuries and Harris’ questionable work ethic, but that should not obscure the early successes. One of Jerry Angelo’s better all-time draft choices, Harris finished his career in San Diego in 2011.
No. 4 Worst
Name: Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
Pick: 14
Year: 2008
Seasons with Bears: 2008-12
Summary: The Bears envisioned Williams as their future cornerstone left tackle when the Angelo regime selected him at No. 14 in a deep offensive tackle draft class. Instead, Williams suffered a back injury almost before the ink dried on his contract. He never recovered and spent the bulk of his Bears’ career lining up at right tackle and guard before the team terminated his contract in October 2012. Williams started 38 games in Chicago, but only seven at left tackle. Not exactly what the Bears anticipated happening. Williams continued his career with the St. Louis Rams and Buffalo Bills.
