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1997 NFL Draft · Rd 5 · #141 overall

Van Hiles Kentucky Draft

Van Hiles was drafted No. 141 overall by the Chicago Bears in the 1997 NFL Draft out of Kentucky. 16 regular-season games · 1 career approximate value

Overall pick
#141
Round
5
Draft class
1997
NFL games
16
Career AV
161st at Kentucky

The pick

How Van Hiles came off the board in 1997.

Drafted by

Chicago Bears

Rd 5 · #141 overall · NFC North

Full 1997 draft class (240 picks)
Position
Defensive back DB
College
Kentucky SEC at the draft
Side of the ball
Defense

NFL career

16 regular-season games · 1 career approximate value

Games played
16
Career approximate value
161st among Kentucky picks
AV with the drafting club
1100% of career value
Final season
19970 years after the draft

Around pick 141

Who came off the board on either side of Van Hiles.

#139 Chad Carpenter WR · ARI Washington State #140 Keith Thibodeaux DB · WAS Northwestern State #142 Eric Stokes DB · SEA Nebraska #143 George McCullough DB · TEN Baylor

Kentucky in the 1997 draft

Teammates who went in the same class.

#205 Chris Ward DE · BAL Kentucky

Other DB picks from Kentucky

The program's most accomplished players at the same spot.

#233 Marlon McCree DB · JAX · 2001 Kentucky #174 D.J. Johnson DB · PIT · 1989 Kentucky #221 Maurice Douglass DB · CHI · 1986 Kentucky #43 Melvin Johnson DB · TB · 1995 Kentucky #232 Carrington Valentine DB · GB · 2023 Kentucky #69 Eric Kelly DB · MIN · 2001 Kentucky

About this draft profile

Last updated Aug 24, 2026

Van Hiles in the 1997 NFL Draft

Van Hiles is a Defensive back out of Kentucky selected No. 141 overall by the Chicago Bears in the 1997 NFL Draft. 16 regular-season games · 1 career approximate value Kentucky has produced 99 NFL draft picks since 1980.

Where this data comes from

Pick order and career outcomes come from the nflverse draft archive; position, measurables, and conference at the time of the draft come from the college feed. Career columns stay empty until a player logs regular-season snaps.

Keep exploring

Frequently asked questions

Where was Van Hiles drafted?

Van Hiles was selected No. 141 overall by the Chicago Bears in the 1997 NFL Draft (Rd 5). Full pick detail at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/1997/van-hiles.

What college did Van Hiles play for?

Van Hiles played college football at Kentucky in the SEC. See every Kentucky draft pick at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/schools/kentucky-wildcats.

How did Van Hiles's NFL career turn out?

16 regular-season games · 1 career approximate value Career outcome data at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/1997/van-hiles.