Back to the Chicago Bears Newsfeed

Bears have unearthed gems late in draft

In the first of an eight-part series, we take a look at the most notable draft picks in Bears history who were selected in the eighth round or lower.

While the NFL Draft has consisted of seven rounds since 1994, it was 30 rounds in the 1940s and '50s before being reduced to 20 rounds in 1960, 17 in 1967, 12 in 1977 and 8 in 1993.

Danny Fortmann
Danny Fortmann was selected by the Bears in the final round of the first NFL Draft out of Colgate.

Three players the Bears drafted in the eighth round or lower are enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame: guard Danny Fortmann (ninth round in 1936), quarterback/kicker George Blanda (12th round in 1949) and defensive end Richard Dent (eighth round in 1983).