The Chicago Bears are relying on young defenders inside
Andrew Billings should be good. The rest is in question in the middle of the Bears' defensive line. Gervon Dexter flashed as a rookie, and compared to other rookies of the past, he is on the right track. Still, they are asking for a big step up. At the same time, if you cannot trust a second-round pick in year two, what did you draft him for?
Zacch Pickens can get the same notes. He was drafted in round three, but early enough that he could be considered a player who should be starting by his second year. Pickens does not even have to start, and he will rotate with both Billings and Dexter.
Still, in the first year of his career, he did not show anything that warrants serious consideration that the jump is coming. If anything, he will be questioned as a backup.
The Bears do not have much to offer as a fourth interior rusher. Most of those players were on a practice squad last year, and now they may have to get snaps as a depth piece. Do Dexter and Pickens make this an issue, or a luxury in 2024?