Phil Emery's imprint still visible on ever-changing Bears roster

Phil Emery’s imprint still visible on ever-changing Bears roster

By Mark Potash

Kyle Long has made the Pro Bowl in his first three seasons with the Bears since being drafted 20th overall by former general manager Phil Emery (left) in 2013. (Sun-Times media)

Phil Emery swung and missed with his first No. 1 draft pick as the Bears’ general manager — Boise State defensive end Shea McClellin. But he learned a lesson.

“In terms of pure defensive ends, probably make sure they’re a little bit longer and a little bit heavier,” Emery said two years after drafting McClellin 19th overall in 2012.

Emery didn’t get much of a chance to learn from his mistakes — he was fired in 2014 after three seasons as the Bears’ GM. But even though his successor, Ryan Pace, is moving quickly to revamp the roster, Emery’s imprint remains on the Bears roster.

Alshon Jeffery, whom Emery moved up five spots in the second round to draft 45th overall in the McClellin draft in 2012, is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL — he made the Pro Bowl in 2013. Kyle Long, Emery’s first-round pick (20th overall) in 2013, has made the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons — at right guard in 2013-14 and at right tackle in 2015. Cornerback Kyle Fuller, Emery’s final first-round pick (14th overall) in 2014, is a two-year starter who is considered a part of the foundation of this year’s defense under Vic Fangio.

In all, 22 Emery-era players remain on the Bears’ 90-man roster heading into training camp, which begins Thursday in Bourbonnais — including 20 players acquired by Emery in 2012-14, plus quarterback Jay Cutler and place-kicker Robbie Gould, both of whom were signed to contract extensions by Emery. Among those 20 are five players slated to start in 2016: Jeffery, Long, Fuller, left tackle Charles Leno and tight end Zach Miller; plus outside linebackers Willie Young and Lamarr Houston, who were 1-2 in sacks for the Bears last season.

Here is the list of remaining Phil Emery-acquired players on the Bears’ roster:

Drafted (11)

Alshon Jeffery, WR (2nd round, 45th overall, 2012)

Kyle Long, RG (1-20, 2013)

Cornelius Washington, DE (6-188, 2013)

Marquess Wilson, WR (7-236, 2013)

Kyle Fuller, CB (1-14, 2014)

Ego Ferguson, DE (2-51, 2014)

Will Sutton, DT (3-82, 2014

Ka’Deem Carey, RB (4-117, 2014)

David Fales, QB (6-183, 2014)

Pat O’Donnell, P (6-191, 2014)