It’s no secret that the Chicago Bears are looking for offensive line help in the 2023 NFL Draft, especially after adding just one lineman in free agency. They need blue-chip starters, but they also need quality depth so one injury doesn’t wreck the entire season. That means combing through the dozens of highly talented offensive linemen who should be available in the later rounds and finding those diamonds in the rough.
Sheperd’s Joey Fisher could be just one of those diamonds. He’s a player Bears fans should familiarize themselves with as we approach draft day.
Fisher (6-foot-5, 315 pounds) hails from Shepherd University, a Division II school in West Virginia. He’s a big man with good length and mobility. His highlights are littered with vith power and a violent style of play.
I had a chance to conduct a brief interview with Joey as he embarks on this next step in his football career.
Me: Back in December, I took notice of your quarterback at Shepherd, Tyson Bagent. As I watched more of him, I wondered, ‘Who is this offensive lineman tossing pass rushers around’. You ended up going to the NFLPA Bowl this offseason and getting a call-up to the Senior Bowl. What was that like for you?
Joey Fisher: It was exciting. I got to enjoy the scout experience along with playing with other players at a high caliber.
Me: From what I’ve seen, Bagent appears to be a fairly mobile quarterback. Does having a guy who can make plays with his legs make your job as a lineman easier, or is it tougher for you?
Joey Fisher: It’s great to have someone back there who can move on his feet. Just in case the pocket breaks, he can still get out and make the play.
Pete: I’d love to see you end up in Chicago. What should Bears fans expect from you? What does Joey Fisher bring to the table?
Joey Fisher: I bring a mauler mentality. I want to come in each day to compete. And I’m going to crush some deep-dish pizza.
Pete: Tell Bears fans a little bit about your positional versatility.
Joey Fisher: I’ve played left tackle in the spring at Shepherd. I got inside reps at the NFLPA game. I was worked out by some NFL teams at center for my pro day.
Pete: Fairly or not, coming from a Division II school, you’re going to face a lot of “small school” concerns. What would you say to people who might wonder if you’ve got what it takes to handle NFL-caliber talent?
Joey Fisher: If you’re good enough, they’ll always find you no matter where you are. In terms of competition at the next level, being able to know your opponent from film study and build your body overall to be stronger and smarter.
