Just as the Chicago Bears' 2022 season has been all about the development of QB Justin Fields, the 2023 offseason will focus on making his job easier next year and beyond.
Fields is checking the development box over the last month or so. He's become one of the NFL's most exciting young superstars, a reality Bears fans aren't used to living in. But just as quickly as Fields can climb league-wide quarterback rankings, he can suffer a setback if Bears GM Ryan Poles doesn't take the necessary steps to strengthen the offensive line and wide receivers this winter and spring.
In the latest 2023 NFL mock draft from The Draft Wire, the Bears swing big at an offensive tackle in the first round. They use the ninth overall pick on Penn State's Olumuyiwa Fashanu.
"This pick has to be spent on help for Justin Fields, either at wide receiver, or along the offensive line," wrote Luke Easterling. "This scenario gives the Bears better value in the trenches, with a 19-year-old stud who already looks like an elite talent with franchise-player potential at left tackle."
Penn St. OT—Olumuyiwa Fashanu is an uber athlete at the position. He is impressive with a full range of tools.
— Full-Time Dame 💰 (@DP_NFL) November 3, 2022
His recovery speed & COD skills is outstanding! I was blown away by his abilities! pic.twitter.com/O3sAEPff6g
Would it be risky to spend a top-10 pick on a guy who's only had his driver's license for two years? Sure. But there's no denying Fashanu's incredible traits at such a young age. His upside is massive, even if it takes a bit longer for him to develop into the long-term offensive tackle he's destined to be.
Easterling dipped into the second round in this 2023 mock draft and sent Chicago a pick that probably won't sit well with Bears fans.
At No. 57 overall -- the selection the Bears got from the Baltimore Ravens in the Roquan Smith trade -- Chicago selects Alabama linebacker Henry To'o To'o.
Henry To'o To'o loops around to lay the hit on the QB. Fantastic grab from Malik Nabers pic.twitter.com/JHPf2G3XMn
— Tyler Browning (@DiabeticTyler) November 8, 2022
Look, To'o To'o is a fantastic prospect and will be a productive starter in the NFL. But if the Bears use the Roquan Smith pick on another linebacker, the fanbase might riot.
Instead, the Bears are more likely to spend that pick on a wide receiver, assuming one falls to the latter portion of Round 2. Wideouts Easterling has coming off the board around Chicago's pick include North Carolina's Josh Downs and Oklahoma's Marvin Mims.