Biggest offseason developments: The Bears signed Akiem Hicks to a two-year, $10 million contract that includes $5.5 million guaranteed. They drafted Jonathan Bullard in the third round, No. 72 overall, out of Florida. Veteran end Jarvis Jenkins departed by signing a two-year, $7 million contract with the Jets in free agency.

What to like: There’s a bit of upside to this group that lacks a proven game-wrecker. Eddie Goldman as a rookie last season established himself as a building block for the 3-4 front. With hand techniques that exceeded coaches’ expectations, the nose tackle was more disruptive as a pass rusher than many evaluators anticipated, finishing with 4 1/2 sacks. The Bears are counting on him to be more consistent in Year 2. Goldman anchors with brute strength and is mindful of the footwork required to beat blocks. Hicks’ 35 1/8-inch arms amount to effective length for controlling and shedding offensive linemen. The talkative end should provide leadership along with scrappy Mitch Unrein, who leads the group with 70 NFL games played. Rookie Jonathan Bullard should immediately challenge for snaps because of his intelligence and quickness off the snap. And in sub packages, because of the Bears’ depth at outside linebacker, don’t be surprised if Pernell McPhee occasionally helps the interior pass rush.

Biggest question: How quickly can Bullard become an impact player? The Bears’ rebuilding effort hinges on players such as Bullard, Day 2 draft picks with tools to contribute. At Florida, Bullard impressed scouts with how quickly he got off the line of scrimmage and shot gaps. He constantly searched for clues about the snap count or how he would be blocked. For example, observing whether a lineman set forward in his stance would tell him whether it was a run or pass.

Transferring that to the NFL level requires experience and study. “One good thing about Jonathan is he’s really bright,” defensive line coach Jay Rodgers said in May. “He’s going to understand the playbook really soon, and then we can focus on his technique.” Expect Bullard to begin as a rotational reserve with eyes on replacing Unrein on the first string in the base front.

Fresh face: As one of the Bears’ most expensive free agents this offseason, Hicks has been praised and projected to significantly help the line. But don’t forget the Bears are his third team since the 2015 regular season began. He floundered with the Saints after they moved him out of his natural five-technique role to a 4-3 end, and the Patriots wanted to re-sign him only as a reserve. The Bears gave him an opportunity to start. But is that an endorsement of Hicks’ ability or simply reflective of the line’s lack of playmakers? Hicks is confident how he’ll answer that question now that he’s back at five-technique. “I can still be effective,” he said in June. “You’re way more comfortable when you’re in your zone, your area.”

You should know: The new regime was lukewarm on Ego Ferguson before he suffered a season-ending patellar tendon injury last October and subsequently was suspended four games by the NFL for violating its policy against performance-enhancing drugs. The 51st overall pick in 2014 must shine in camp to avoid adding his name to the team’s list of recent draft flops.

Quote of note: “He’s a mountain. You can’t move him. He’s aggressive and instinctive and agile for a big guy. To see him in front of me and to not have (offensive) linemen come up on me, it’s a great feeling.” — inside linebacker Danny Trevathan on Hicks

Big number: 26th — Bears’ NFL rank in yards per carry last season, allowing an average of 4.47.

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Currently on roster: 10.

Projected on final roster: 5-6.

Roster locks: Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman, Jonathan Bullard.

Good bets: Mitch Unrein.

On the bubble: Ego Ferguson, Will Sutton, Cornelius Washington, Terry Williams.

Practice squad candidate: Marquis Jackson.

Camp depth: Keith Browner.