(10) Khalil Herbert, running back (age 23)

A 2021 sixth-round draft pick from Virginia Tech, Herbert showed that he's more than capable of stepping in to start when David Montgomery missed four midseason games with an injury. He also ranked 10th in the NFL and first among rookies with a 23.6-yard kickoff return average.

(9) Trevis Gipson, outside linebacker (age 24)

A converted college defensive end, the 2020 fifth-round pick from Tulsa made huge strides in his second NFL season, registering 7.0 sacks—including 4.0 in the final five games—and a team-leading five forced fumbles. Heading into his third year, Gipson still has a very high ceiling.

(8) David Montgomery, running back (age 24)

Unlike the young players preceding him on this list, Montgomery has already developed into a top performer and is in the prime of his career. The 2019 third-round pick from Iowa State has rushed for 2,808 yards and 21 touchdowns on 714 carries and caught 121 passes for 924 yards and three TDs in 44 games in three seasons.

(7) Roquan Smith, inside linebacker (age 24)

Smith is also near the bottom of this list not because he's not a great player, but because he's already proven to be one of the NFL's top performers at his position. The 2018 first-round pick from Georgia is a true difference-maker who has registered at least 100 tackles in each of his first four seasons, including a career-high 163 in 2021.

(6) Larry Borom, tackle (age 22)

The rookie fifth-round pick from Missouri was one of the Bears' most pleasant surprises in 2021, making eight starts at right tackle and filling in at left tackle when needed. It appears that Borom could be the team's right tackle of the future, but that of course depends on where the Bears' new general manager and head coach see him fitting best.

(5) Jaylon Johnson, cornerback (age 22)

The 2020 second-round pick from Utah has already established himself as a lockdown corner capable of shadowing the opponent's top receiver. But still only 22, Johnson has room for growth and seemingly possesses the talent and intangibles to develop into a Pro Bowl performer.

(4) Cole Kmet, tight end (age 22)

The 2020 second-round selection from Notre Dame made major strides from Year 1 to 2 and should continue to develop into more of a downfield receiving threat as he enters his third NFL season and second playing with talented young quarterback Justin Fields.

(3) Darnell Mooney, receiver (age 24)

A Day 1 contributor as a rookie in 2020, the fifth-round pick from Tulane is one of the Bears' top ascending young players. Playing for an offense that ranked last in the NFL in passing yards, Mooney topped the 1,000-yard plateau, catching 81 passes for 1,055 yards and four touchdowns.

(2) Teven Jenkins, tackle (age 23)

While all eyes no doubt will be on Fields entering the 2022 campaign, a lot of attention will also be focused on Jenkins' development. The 2021 second-round pick missed the first 11 games of his rookie season following back surgery. It appears that he'll be a top candidate to start at left tackle, a position entrusted with protecting Fields' blindside.

(1) Justin Fields, quarterback (age 22)

It goes without saying that Fields' development will be key to the Bears' future success (but I had to say it anyway). This season, the highly-touted 2021 first-round pick showed flashes of the dual-threat ability he had displayed at Ohio State, but he also committed rookie mistakes that must be eliminated and likely will be as he gains more experience.