NFL Draft: Best first-round draft pick in each slot in history

By Brad Weiss | Jun 10, 2019

IRVING, UNITED STATES: Emmitt Smith of the Dallas Cowboys rushes as Atlanta Falcons defenders pursue during the fourth quarter at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas 20 September. Smith rushed for two touchdowns and passed Tony Dorsett to become the NFL's fourth all-time leading rusher in the Cowboys 24-7 win. AFP PHOTO Paul BUCK (Photo credit should read PAUL BUCK/AFP/Getty Images) /

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CANTON, OH – AUGUST 04: Brian Urlacher poses with his bust along with former coach Bob Babich during the 2018 NFL Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on August 4, 2018 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

LB. 2000- New Mexico. Brian Urlacher. 9. player. 57.

During his time at New Mexico, Brian Urlacher rounded himself into one of the better defensive prospects in the 2000 NFL Draft. An All-American during his college career, Urlacher was the No. 9 overall pick of the Bears in 2000, and went on to become one of the more punishing linebackers in NFL history.

For Urlacher, Chicago would be the only stop he would make on his NFL journey, a trip that ended up with him being enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In his 12 seasons in the Windy City, Urlacher set the franchise record in tackles, while also being named to eight Pro Bowls, as well as a four-time First-Team All-Pro.

The 2005 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Urlacher appeared in 182 games as a member of the Chicago Bears, the third most ever, and did not start only two of them. He went over the 100 tackle mark nine times, while continuing to be a leader on some very tough Chicago Bears teams.

Urlacher came into the NFL with a bang, winning the league’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award, and did not stop there. The history of the Chicago Bears franchise is loaded with extremely talented defensive players, and Urlacher is certainly near the top of the list.

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