In less than three months, the 2023-2024 NFL season begins with a TNF game between the reigning Super Bowl championship winning Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions. The return of the league brings one special game along with it: fantasy football! While it isn’t quite July yet, we don’t think it hurts to start looking ahead at some fantasy football projections.
And more specifically, some Chicago Bears fantasy football projections after all the changes we’ve had so far in the offseason!
2023 Chicago Bears Fantasy Football Projections
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Quarterback: Justin Fields
We’ll start off with the guy wearing jersey #1 for the Bears, Mr. QB1, Justin Fields. Despite having some mediocre outings as passer, Fields’ abilities as a threat on the ground only boost his fantasy value.
Last season, Fields made plenty of managers happy after finishing the year with the sixth highest points as the overall QB 6 in fantasy. His 295.98 points were the highest for any Chicago Bears player in fantasy football. Justin Fields’ current ADP of #44 overall by FantasyPros has him as the 6th quarterback again.
Although with what should be an improved o-line and upgrades at receiver, there’s potential for him to finish even higher and return more value again. Plus, he has two well-timed fantasy playoff matchups against the Cardinals’ and Falcons’ poor passing defenses.
Our first Chicago Bears fantasy football projection: Justin Fields 1-ups himself to finish as the QB 4 and surpasses 300 fantasy points in his third year.
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Wide Receivers: Moore, Mooney, Claypool
Our next three Chicago Bears fantasy football predictions involve wide receivers DJ Moore, Darnell Mooney, and Chase Claypool.
Moore figures to be the first-option for the passing attack considering he was involved in the deal for the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He finished last season as fantasy’s 20th ranked wide receiver in standard scoring while dealing with questionable quarterback play. Yes, Fields has something to prove with his arm still, but Moore could very easily become the answer with his skillset. At a current ADP of 51 as the 21st ranked fantasy wide receiver, Moore has plenty of opportunity to crush expectations like Fields if the quarterback can get the arm going.
Until that happens, we think him at 21 is a safe projection with top-15 potential as a solid WR2 in the second half of the season.
Bears receivers Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool aren’t to be counted out in fantasy leagues either, especially deep ones with large rosters. Mooney’s current ADP has him as the 55th receiver at pick 135, and Claypool at WR #75, number 199 overall. Moore’s presence will undoubtedly change the looks they get, but at the same time, both players are capable of hauling in the long ball. Defenders focusing their attention on Moore could open up some opportunities.
Our projections? Mooney finishes the season as a surprisingly consistent WR3 for fantasy, while Claypool doesn’t do much as a WR5 dart throw.
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Running Backs: Herbert, Foreman, Johnson
These next Chicago Bears fantasy football projections involve three more Bears’ players in Khalil Herbert, D’Onta Foreman, and rookie Roschon Johnson at the running back position.
David Montgomery’s departure opens plenty of opportunities in the Bears running game for any of the guys above making each viable fantasy option. Khalil Herbert currently leads the group with an ADP of 99 as the 34th running back. Last season, Herbert was more efficient than Montgomery up until a week 10 injury. Provided he stays healthy in 2023, he could manage to finish in the top-25 among running backs in a strong 1-2 punch ground combo with Justin Fields.
We can’t imagine the Bears not involving Fields in their running attack this next season. Because of this, our fantasy projections for D’Onta Foreman and Roschon Johnson get a little trickier. Odds are only one more of them could take a share of the backfield and have it translate into meaningful fantasy points. Foreman holds a current ADP of 126 as the #45 running back, and Johnson sits at an ADP of #155 at RB52. Both can’t be much more than coin-flips as one or two game breakout RB4s at best.
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Tight End: Cole Kmet
Lately in fantasy football, you either spend a first or second round pick on an elite tight end, or you hold out for some smaller but consistent production. For the Chicago Bears fantasy football options, Cole Kmet might just be one of those value makers.
Last season’s 8th ranked tight end in PPR scoring formats will likely have to see what his usage looks like alongside new weapon DJ Moore. But even holding steady with 7 touchdowns and 544 yards on 50 catches could return plenty for Cole Kmet’s current ADP of 125 and 13th at his position.
Our projection is a slight regression in touchdowns with an uptick in yardage as a firm 10th ranked fantasy tight end on the year. 58 catches leading to 6 touchdowns and 603 yards.
Chicago Bears Defense
Our final Chicago Bears fantasy football projection takes us to the defensive unit. If you’re a diehard fan and lean towards selecting them at this position, more power to you.
For those who like putting themselves in a position to win in fantasy football, maybe steer away from the Chicago defense. Their ADP on FantasyPro’s has them averaging out as the 30th defense chosen. Basically, unless your league has that many people, you likely don’t need to go with the Bears in the defense slot.
If you really must though, consider the Bears schedule when it comes to choosing when to start them. During weeks 2, 5, and 10, the team plays the Buccaneers, Commanders, and Panthers for some fairly friendly matchups. Even gutsy fantasy football managers with championship dreams can opt for the Bears defense in week 16 when we freeze out the Cardinals at home on Christmas Eve!