Justin Fields, DJ Moore lead Bears in 2023 Fantasy Football ADP

The big-ticket Bears player in fantasy circles this season is, of course, quarterback Justin Fields. His near-record-setting 2022 season as a runner has his fantasy upside as high as any player in the NFL, and his average draft position (ADP) reflects that.

Fields is currently being drafted as QB5 and No. 38 overall. In 12-team leagues, that's at the top of the fourth round, when you'd expect a run on the top quarterbacks to occur.

The confidence fantasy managers have in Justin Fields is understandable. The trade for wide receiver DJ Moore and the expected emergence of Chase Claypool should help Fields set career highs in passing yards and passing touchdowns in 2023. In fact, one bold prediction has him scoring 40 total touchdowns this year.

If Fields enjoys that kind of breakout season, Moore and Claypool will be hot fantasy assets too.

Moore is currently being drafted as WR20. Claypool, meanwhile, is WR69. It's a big drop between the presumed top two wideouts on Chicago's roster. Darnell Mooney, who was a popular breakout candidate last year this time, is just outside the top 50 wide receivers at WR51.

Moore's fantasy valuation feels about right. He's a legitimate fantasy WR2 who can easily enter the top 10 of his position if everything clicks with Fields. He scored a career-best seven touchdowns in 2022 despite catching passes from Sam Darnold and a cast of misfit Carolina Panthers.

Claypool's down 2022 campaign (he didn't catch a touchdown with the Bears and totaled just 14 catches for 140 yards in seven games) is likely contributing to his low valuation. He's in a prove-it year in Chicago and fantasy football leagues. If he doesn't return to his remarkable rookie form when he scored 11 total touchdowns, he'll have a hard time securing a big second contract. His long-term NFL future will go from rising star to likely journeyman.

Mooney ended last season with a fractured ankle. His production left much to be desired before the injury too. Mooney has been pushed down the roster with Moore in town and could become third in the passing game's pecking order. We'll know early in the season what his role will be, but any hope that Mooney could become a Terry McClaurin-type target for Justin Fields appears to be gone.

Mooney had a career-low 40 catches for 493 yards and two touchdowns in 2022.

As for the Chicago Bears running backs, the cluster of players vying for touches has caused none to be sought-after fantasy prospects. Khalil Herbert, Chicago's presumed RB1, is the highest-drafted at RB34. D'Onta Foreman is RB40. And, surprisingly, Roschon Johnson is way down the list at RB99.

The best value of this bunch is Johnson, who has a great chance to be featured in the Bears' offense in 2023. His receiving chops and tough between-the-tackles running style will earn him playing time early in his rookie season. If his ADP holds firm at RB99 -- which, there's no way, right? -- he could evolve into a fantasy league winner.

And let's not leave out the tight ends. Cole Kmet checks in at TE12, equivalent to a starter in 12-team leagues. Robert Tonyan, however, isn't even a TE3. He's coming off the board as TE37. It appears fantasy managers aren't worried about Tonyan taking reps or targets away from Kmet.