Fantasy Football 2022: Updated Look at Bears Skill Players’ ADP

July is upon us, which means fantasy football draft season is officially here. The Chicago Bears won’t be a popular offense for fantasy sharks in 2022, but it doesn’t mean there aren’t a few skill players worthy of your attention in the early rounds of 2022 fantasy football drafts.

Here is the current average draft position (ADP) for the Bears’ primary skill players in 2022.

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QB – Justin Fields
ADP: 122 overall (QB 18)

Analysis: Fields enters his second season in the league with questions about his supporting cast. And it’s those questions that have his ADP at a bargain price. Fields has a rare blend of arm talent and elite athletic ability, and quarterbacks like that tend to exceed expectations in fantasy football. That combination of traits should help him overcome a lackluster group of wide receivers, giving Fields league-winner potential in 2022.

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RB – David Montgomery
ADP: 37 overall (RB 18)

Analysis: Montgomery’s ADP projects him as a quality RB2 this season, and the feels about right. He should have little trouble eclipsing 1,000 rushing yards if he stays healthy this year, and he’s already proven he has the chops to be a productive player in the passing game. New offensive coordinator Luke Getsy’s system is friendly to running backs, so a career-year could be on the horizon for Montgomery. The only thing preventing Montgomery from being a legitimate RB1 candidate in 2022 is, well, the Chicago Bears. If they’re as bad as experts are predicting, Chicago will be playing from behind a lot. If that’s the case, Montgomery’s ceiling is limited.

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RB – Khalil Herbert
ADP: 152 overall (RB 50)

Analysis: Steal alert! Herbert is an excellent upside opportunity at RB50. If Montgomery gets hurt at any point in the season, Herbert will immediately become a must-start in fantasy football with top-15 upside at the position. He proved as a rookie in 2021 that the Bears offense doesn’t miss a beat when he started four games for an injured Montgomery. In fact, Herbert looked like the more explosive player. He didn’t get many opportunities after Montgomery returned to the lineup, but with a new coaching staff and a scheme that fits Herbert’s skill set perfectly, he could be a mega-sleeper for the second half of the 2022 season. If you’re in a dynasty league, draft and stash Herbert for 2023. The Chicago Bears’ backfield could be all his.

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WR – Darnell Mooney
ADP: 64 overall (WR 24)

Analysis: In a 12-team league, Mooney’s ADP has him coming off the board as fifth-round pick. I love that value for a player who could challenge for the NFL’s lead in targets this year. His massive target share will result in big-time production — Mooney could exceed 1,300 yards and 8-10 touchdowns in 2022. I know that’s an aggressive prediction, but the third-year pro has improved year over year and topped 1,000 receiving yards in 2021 despite a chaotic offense and quarterback situation. Those issues are now in the past. Mooney already has chemistry with Fields, and it’ll pay off in a big way this year. Mooney is an awesome WR2 with WR1 upside.

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WR – Byron Pringle
ADP: 260 overall (WR 90)

Analysis: Pringle’s ADP is fair. We simply don’t know what his role will be in 2022, nor do we know whether he can handle a starter’s workload. He flashed as a quality playmaker over the last few seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, but he benefited from playing with quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The good news for Pringle’s fantasy outlook is that he should have the starting role all season. There isn’t enough competition behind him to pose a legitimate threat. He signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears in the offseason, so you know he’s trying to earn that next multi-year deal. He’s a roll of the dice at this point for fantasy football.

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WR – Velus Jones Jr.
ADP: 294 overall (WR 108
)

Analysis: Now that the dust has settled on the 2022 NFL Draft, and the jokes about Jones Jr.”s age are over, we can focus on his upside as a rookie. And there’s plenty of it. Jones Jr. has elite playmaking ability with the ball in his hands and is one of the fastest wide receivers in the NFL, even before taking a snap. He’ll be thrown into the fire early, too. He projects as the Bears” primary slot receiver. Jones Jr. will have as much of an opportunity to make plays as wide receivers who were drafted in the first round, but he won’t come with the same fantasy football price tag. If you want a rookie wideout with upside on your team but don’t want to spend a high draft pick on one, Jones Jr. is a good target.

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TE – Cole Kmet
ADP: 121 overall (TE 13)

Analysis: Tight end is the weakest position in fantasy football right now. Kmet’s ranking is proof of that. He ranks just outside TE1 range (for 12-team leagues) despite not scoring a touchdown in 2021. In fact, he only has two touchdowns so far in his career. Still, the upside is there for Kmet to enjoy a breakout year in 2022. It takes tight ends a little longer to emerge as high-level producers in the NFL, and Kmet is still young. He just turned 23 in March. The arrow is pointing up for the former Notre Dame star to challenge for 800 receiving yards and five or more touchdowns in 2022. If he puts up numbers like that, he’ll be a rock-solid TE1.