Locked On Bears - Daily Podcast On The Chicago Bears Locked On Podcast Network

The Chicago Bears have recent draft picks filling big roles and key positions, and it is critical that they make good progress in their development this season.

Free agent center Connor Williams is expected to be ready for Week 1 as he recovers from a torn ACL, and the Chicago Bears should sign him to improve their offensive line in multiple ways.

The Chicago Bears are relying on defensive tackle Gervon Dexter to be their top interior pass rusher this season, but history tells us players at his position are rarely ready to make a big jump in year two.

The Chicago Bears are expecting to have a Top 5 defense this season, but that's setting the bar very high for a group that struggled at the start of last season.

Keenan Allen, DJ Moore and Rome Odunze are all capable of reaching 1,000 yards for the Chicago Bears, but only a handful of trios in NFL history have been that productive at the same time.

The most important task for the new Chicago Bears offensive coaching staff is developing Caleb Williams, and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron is conscious of making sure they're all aligned.