What is there to explain
In response to a poster saying there is risk in drafting Mack and that there are pros and cons I pointed out there are pros and cons to keeping those drafts picks. The con being you could easily draft a bust like Pace did with White.
Like what do you want me to do in this situation? Pretend like the draft is not a risk just to make you feel warm and fuzzy? If people are going to continually harp on the 1st round picks then it is perfectly reasonable to point out Mack is a surer thing than 1st round pick who could easily be a bust. It is like some of yall are hurt by the truth.
I think people are making the mistake of using Pace´s 1st round picks or Kevin White in this argument because then the other side calls it White or Pace bashing.
The better argument is using Bears 1st round history since Urlacher (2000, so that the other side has 1 Hall of Hamer on their side of the argument) and ask, "Which back to back 1st round picks would not be worth trading for Mack (seeing that he is on the right path to get to the Hall of Fame himself)?
Urlacher and David Terrell (or Cade McNown in 1999)?
This gives the other side a possible answer solely because of Urlacher, but everyone knows that pass rusher is more important, and makes more money, than middle linebacker (quick: Von Miller or Luke Kuechly?)
Rex Grossman and Tommie Harris?
Although Grossman had some really nice games, he also had the Bad Grossman persona. Tommie Harris was special though the injury bug came with him into the NFL and eventually took away his talent.
Greg Olson and Chris Williams?
Although Greg Olson was and is really good, he is not in the Urlacher/Mack level. Chris Willliams ... need I say more?
Kyle Long and Kyle Fuller?
Is getting two guys named Kyle (quick: name another Kyle) really worth it? Although they fill two important needs, they are not worth what Mack would bring if he keeps up his play.
White/Floyd/Trubisky/Smith?
White´s injuries have kept him out for most of his career; Floyd has looked good, not great, and has a case of the injury bug; Trubisky is an unknown (some have already written him off, which is stupid though he has to have a upward arrow this year) and Smith has all the potential in the world which means absolutely nothing until he shows it in the NFL.
So ... someone who has their current production as worthy of making it to the Hall of Fame eventually is well worth the risk of two 1st round picks because Hall of Fame worthy players do not come around that often and because the 1st round has, at best, a coin toss´ chance at success, not Hall of Fame success but rather starting 5 years in the NFL success.
2000 9 Brian Urlacher ^ Linebacker/Safety New Mexico
2001 8 David Terrell Wide receiver Michigan
2002 29 Marc Colombo Offensive tackle Boston College
2003 14 Michael Haynes Defensive end Penn State [v]
2003 22 Rex Grossman Quarterback Florida [v]
2004 14 Tommie Harris † Defensive tackle Oklahoma
2005 4 Cedric Benson Halfback Texas
2006 — No pick — — [w]
2007 31 Greg Olsen Tight end Miami
2008 14 Chris Williams Offensive tackle Vanderbilt
2009 — No pick — — [x]
2010 — No pick — — [x]
2011 29 Gabe Carimi Offensive tackle Wisconsin
2012 19 Shea McClellin Defensive end Boise State
2013 20 Kyle Long † Offensive tackle Oregon
2014 14 Kyle Fuller Cornerback Virginia Tech
2015 7 Kevin White Wide receiver West Virginia
2016 9 Leonard Floyd Linebacker Georgia
2017 2 Mitchell Trubisky Quarterback North Carolina
2018 8 Roquan Smith Linebacker Georgia