The Chicago Bears weren’t following the media big boards in the 2023 NFL draft. That much is obvious. Many felt Darnell Wright was a minor reach in the 1st round. Then in the 2nd, they really went their own way by selecting Gervon Dexter. While a solid run defender, there was a feeling he didn’t offer much as an interior pass rusher. At least not according to his stat line. The same can be said for 3rd rounder Zacch Pickens out of South Carolina. While he flashed interior pass rush potential, it never seemed to fully manifest. That hasn’t stopped some from being fans, including Mel Kiper Jr.
The longtime ESPN draft analyst was highly complimentary of Pickens when the Bears picked him on Friday night. He highlighted the well-established issues, from his lacking production to the occasional inconsistency on tape. However, he was also quick to point out that the defensive tackle has substantial athletic ability. He even made a bold statement saying that, from a physical standpoint, Pickens is a 1st round talent.
Mel Kiper is backed up by the numbers on this.
He ran a 4.89 at the scouting combine at 291 lbs, which is ridiculous. His 30.5-inch vertical jump was fourth-best among all defensive tackles at the combine. So he’s a big dude with lower body explosion and 34-inch arms. The physical tools are there to make a dangerous interior pass rusher. It’s a question of giving him the right coaching to exploit it. The Bears’ 4-3 defense under Matt Eberflus is perfectly suited for his skill set. If he embraces the work necessary to improve his pass rush arsenal, he’ll be a problem.
It is clear Poles places heavy emphasis on physical traits when drafting. That means he has the utmost confidence that Eberflus can give players the necessary coaching. If he’s right, then so is Mel Kiper. The Bears may have scored a 1st round talent in the 3rd round. That would be a welcome change of pace from what this organization has done over the past decade.
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