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Chicago Bears hold the No. 9 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Here's a look at past No. 9 picks

chris sims, journal star
·5 min read

The Chicago Bears are making their final preparations as the 2023 NFL Draft rapidly approaches.

There are plenty of options available to fill Chicago's needs, but there's no clear direction as to who the Bears have their sights set on at No. 9 in the opening round.

Chicago Bears in NFL Draft: The Bears have made 95 first-round picks since 1936. Here's the list.

Here's a look at the players selected at No. 9 in the NFL Draft since 2000:

2022 NFL Draft, No. 9 pick: Charles Cross

Oct 2, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle Charles Cross (67) blocks Detroit Lions linebacker Julian Okwara (99) during first half action at Ford Field.
Oct 2, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle Charles Cross (67) blocks Detroit Lions linebacker Julian Okwara (99) during first half action at Ford Field.

  • Team: Seattle Seahawks

  • Position: OT

  • College: Mississippi State

  • Stats: Played all 17 games his rookie season, had one offensive fumble recovery.

2021 NFL Draft, No. 9 pick: Pat Surtain II

  • Team: Denver Broncos

  • Position: CB

  • College: Alabama

  • Stats: Surtain has 113 total tackles, 24 passes defensed, 6 interceptions and a touchdown in 33 games. He has one Pro Bowl selection.

2020 NFL Draft, No. 9 pick: C.J. Henderson

  • Team: Jacksonville Jaguars

  • Position: CB

  • College: Florida

  • Stats: Henderson, who currently plays for the Carolina Panthers, has 127 total tackles, 14 passes defensed and 3 interceptions in 37 games.

2019 NFL Draft, No. 9 pick: Ed Oliver

Buffalo Bills' Ed Oliver (91)
Buffalo Bills' Ed Oliver (91)

  • Team: Buffalo Bills

  • Position: DT

  • College: Houston

  • Stats: Oliver has 133 total tackles, 14.5 sacks, 11 passes defensed and a safety in 62 games.

2018 NFL Draft, No. 9 pick: Mike McGlinchey

San Francisco 49ers' Mike McGlinchey (69) runs during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Oct. 30, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif.
San Francisco 49ers' Mike McGlinchey (69) runs during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Oct. 30, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif.

  • Team: San Francisco 49ers

  • Position: OT

  • College: Notre Dame

  • Stats: McGlinchey played in 69 games over five years with San Francisco. He recently moved to the Denver Broncos in free agency.

2017 NFL Draft, No. 9 pick: John Ross

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver John Ross (11) runs drills during warmups before the first quarter of the NFL Week 1 game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Cincinnati Bengals at CenturyLink Field in Seattle on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver John Ross (11) runs drills during warmups before the first quarter of the NFL Week 1 game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Cincinnati Bengals at CenturyLink Field in Seattle on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019.

  • Team: Cincinnati Bengals

  • Position: WR

  • College: Washington

  • Stats: Ross has 957 yards, 62 receptions, 11 receiving touchdowns, nine carries and 41 rushing yards in 37 games. He recently signed a futures deal with the Kansas City Chiefs.

2016 NFL Draft, No. 9 pick: Leonard Floyd

From Nov. 10, 2019, Chicago Bears outside linebacker Leonard Floyd plays against the Detroit Lions during the second half of an NFL football game in Chicago. Floyd moved from Chicago to Los Angeles for the chance to realize his full potential as a pass rusher with the Rams.
From Nov. 10, 2019, Chicago Bears outside linebacker Leonard Floyd plays against the Detroit Lions during the second half of an NFL football game in Chicago. Floyd moved from Chicago to Los Angeles for the chance to realize his full potential as a pass rusher with the Rams.

  • Team: Chicago Bears

  • Position: LB

  • College: Georgia

  • Stats: Floyd has 316 total tackles, 47.5 sacks, 13 passes defensed, 2 interceptions, 2 safeties and a touchdown in 104 games. He was released by the Los Angeles Rams this spring and is currently an unrestricted free agent.

2015 NFL Draft, No. 9 pick: Ereck Flowers

New York Giants offensive tackle Ereck Flowers (74) prepares to block Washington Redskins linebacker Preston Smith (94) during the first half at FedEx Field.
New York Giants offensive tackle Ereck Flowers (74) prepares to block Washington Redskins linebacker Preston Smith (94) during the first half at FedEx Field.

  • Team: New York Giants

  • Position: OT

  • College: Miami

  • Stats: Flowers started 101 out of 105 games for four different teams over seven seasons. He is currently a free agent.

2014 NFL Draft, No. 9 pick: Anthony Barr

Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Anthony Barr (55) intercepts a pass ahead of Los Angeles Rams running back Sony Michel (25) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Anthony Barr (55) intercepts a pass ahead of Los Angeles Rams running back Sony Michel (25) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

  • Team: Minnesota Vikings

  • Position: OLB

  • College: UCLA

  • Stats: Barr has 521 total tackles, 18.5 sacks, 32 passes defensed, 5 interceptions and a safety in 112 games. He has been selected to 4 Pro Bowls.

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2013 NFL Draft, No. 9 pick: Dee Milliner

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Mike Wallace (11) is unable to make a catch as New York Jets cornerback Dee Milliner (27) defends during the second half at Sun Life Stadium.
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Mike Wallace (11) is unable to make a catch as New York Jets cornerback Dee Milliner (27) defends during the second half at Sun Life Stadium.

  • Team: New York Jets

  • Position: CB

  • College: Alabama

  • Stats: Milliner had 63 total tackles, 19 passes defensed and 3 interceptions in 21 games. Injuries ended his career abruptly in 2015, playing just three years in the NFL.

2012 NFL Draft, No. 9 pick: Luke Kuechly

  • Team: Carolina Panthers

  • Position: ILB

  • College: Boston College

  • Stats: Kuechly amassed 1,092 total tackles, 12.5 sacks, 66 passes defensed, 18 interceptions, 2 touchdowns and a safety in 118 games. He was selected to 7 Pro Bowls.

2011 NFL Draft, No. 9 pick: Tyron Smith

Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyron Smith (77) defends against pressure from Cleveland Browns defensive end Olivier Vernon (54) as quarterback Dak Prescott (4) looks to make a pass.
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyron Smith (77) defends against pressure from Cleveland Browns defensive end Olivier Vernon (54) as quarterback Dak Prescott (4) looks to make a pass.

  • Team: Dallas Cowboys

  • Position: OT

  • College: USC

  • Stats: Smith has started 148 games in his career. He has been selected to 8 Pro Bowls.

2010 NFL Draft, No. 9 pick: C.J. Spiller

Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller (28) is hit by Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Philip Wheeler (52) during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013, in Orchard Park, N.Y.
Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller (28) is hit by Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Philip Wheeler (52) during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013, in Orchard Park, N.Y.

  • Team: Buffalo Bills

  • Position: RB

  • College: Clemson

  • Stats: Spiller has 3,451 rushing yards, 712 carries, 12 rushing touchdowns, 1,481 receiving yards, 198 receptions, and 9 receiving touchdowns in 90 games. He was selected to one Pro Bowl.

2009 NFL Draft, No. 9 pick: B.J. Raji

  • Team: Green Bay Packers

  • Position: DT

  • College: Boston College

  • Stats: Raji had 151 total tackles and 11 sacks in 91 games. He was selected to one Pro Bowl.

2008 NFL Draft, No. 9 pick: Keith Rivers

he Cincinnati Bengals Keith Rivers makes a call at the line of scrimmage against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay Sunday September 20, 2009.
he Cincinnati Bengals Keith Rivers makes a call at the line of scrimmage against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay Sunday September 20, 2009.

  • Team: Cincinnati Bengals

  • Position: LB

  • College: USC

  • Stats: Rivers had 291 total tackles, 3 sacks, 7 passes defensed and 2 interceptions in 74 games.

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2007 NFL Draft, No. 9 pick: Ted Ginn Jr.

Dolphins' Ted Ginn Jr. returns his second kickoff during a game for a touchdown.
Dolphins' Ted Ginn Jr. returns his second kickoff during a game for a touchdown.

  • Team: Miami Dolphins

  • Position: WR

  • College: Ohio State

  • Stats: Ginn had 5,742 receiving yards, 412 receptions, 33 receiving touchdowns, 68 carries, 486 rushing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns in 193 games.

2006 NFL Draft, No. 9 pick: Ernie Sims

  • Team: Detroit Lions

  • Position: LB

  • College: Florida State

  • Stats: Sims had 623 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, 11 passes defensed, 6 forced fumbles and an interception in 109 games.

2005 NFL Draft, No. 9 pick: Carlos Rogers

Washington's Carlos Rogers (22) defends against Pittsburgh's Santonio Homes (10) during a game on Nov. 3, 2008 at Fedex Field in Landover, Maryland.
Washington's Carlos Rogers (22) defends against Pittsburgh's Santonio Homes (10) during a game on Nov. 3, 2008 at Fedex Field in Landover, Maryland.

  • Team: Washington Commanders

  • Position: DB

  • College: Auburn

  • Stats: Rogers has 483 total tackles, 109 passes defensed, 17 interceptions, 3 touchdowns and a sack in 133 games. He was selected to one Pro Bowl.

2004 NFL Draft, No. 9 pick: Reggie Williams

Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Reggie Williams (11) performs a dance after a 5-yard touchdown catch.
Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Reggie Williams (11) performs a dance after a 5-yard touchdown catch.

  • Team: Jacksonville Jaguars

  • Position: WR

  • College: Washington

  • Stats: Williams had 2,322 yards, 189 receptions, 18 receiving touchdowns, 11 carries and 44 rushing yards in 79 games.

2003 NFL Draft, No. 9 pick: Kevin Williams

  • Team: Minnesota Vikings

  • Position: DT

  • College: Oklahoma State

  • Stats: Williams had 528 total tackles, 63 sacks, 73 passes defensed, 5 interceptions and 4 touchdowns in 203 games. He was selected to 6 Pro Bowls.

2002 NFL Draft, No. 9 pick: John Henderson

Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young (10) scrambles away from Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle John Henderson (98).
Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young (10) scrambles away from Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle John Henderson (98).

  • Team: Jacksonville Jaguars

  • Position: DT

  • College: Tennessee

  • Stats: Henderson had 492 total tackles, 29 sacks and 46 passes defensed in 146 games.

2001 NFL Draft, No. 9 pick: Koren Robinson

Koren Robinson (81) of the Seattle Seahawks
Koren Robinson (81) of the Seattle Seahawks

  • Team: Seattle Seahawks

  • Position: WR

  • College: North Carolina State

  • Stats: Robinson had 4,244 yards, 294 receptions, 16 receiving touchdowns, 23 carries, 115 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in 69 games. He was selected to one Pro Bowl.

2000 NFL Draft, No. 9 pick: Brian Urlacher

Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher defends during a game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher defends during a game against the Atlanta Falcons.

  • Team: Chicago Bears

  • Position: LB

  • College: New Mexico

  • Stats: Urlacher had 1,361 total tackles, 41.5 sacks, 90 passes defensed, 33 interceptions, 11 forced fumbles and 4 touchdowns in 62 games. He was selected to 8 Pro Bowls and is also a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Chris Sims is a digital producer for the Journal Star. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisFSims.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Chicago Bears: NFL Draft history at pick No. 9