Gervon Dexter arrived to uncertain shrugs when the Chicago Bears drafted him in April. Using a 2nd round pick on a defensive tackle with limited sack production had many confused. While nobody disputed his ability as a run-stopper at Florida, one would think the Bears would save such a valuable selection for somebody who could get after the quarterback. GM Ryan Poles made it clear they didn’t view Dexter as what he was. They saw what he could be. His size, power, and athleticism were all considered elite for his position.
The primary issues with him were technical. A common complaint from draft experts was his get-off. Too often he would be the last person out of his stance on the snap. That won’t fly in the NFL if he wants to be an effective interior pass rusher. Through preseason games, it’s evident how much Dexter has already improved in that area. There were multiple times against Indianapolis when he burst into the backfield. Defensive line coach Travis Smith explained to Adam Jahns of The Athletic how this came about.
“My job is to make sure he’s looking at the right thing and he’s not overthinking it,” Smith said. “You talk to guys, all of the sudden it’s: ‘Well, I thought …’ No, no, no, that’s wrong. He’s looking and focusing on one thing. What’s his alignment, what’s his assignment? He knows what he’s keying, and then it’s about disrupting his position the best because it’s not about being perfect. It’s about creating havoc.”
Gervon Dexter has a clear understanding of his weaknesses.
The get-off is no longer the most pressing issue for him. It’s pad level and hand technique. He has an ongoing tendency to get too tall out of his stance, providing blockers with an easy target. That, along with his inconsistent ability to fight off blocks, has made it difficult for him to generate a consistent rush. He’s clearly aware of this. That is why Dexter was spotted after practice working with Yannick Ngakoue, a seasoned veteran with a bevy of pass rush moves. You’d be hard-pressed to find somebody better to learn from.
There is no question that Gervon Dexter has talent. He’s already flashed it multiple times. It is important to remember he is also a rookie. They take time to unlock their full potential. That is especially true for linemen. It may take a month or two for the 2nd round pick to find his footing. That is why the Bears won’t start him. Instead, he will be a rotational guy behind Justin Jones and Andrew Billings. This will allow him to get frequent tastes of action without putting a huge burden on him.
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Once he gets more comfortable, the team can put more on his plate. If things go as planned, he’ll be a bigger force by November and December.
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I think Dexter’s ceiling is sky high and we know he has high pedigree. I like the drafting balance by taking another DT with a high floor to play next to him. This is good thinking.
Need a better photgraph of a guy that will become great for Chicago!