Although he wasn't a top-60 pick, don't be surprised if rookie Zacch Pickens makes an immediate impact for the Bears' defense this season. NFLDraft | DaBears
Nothing sums up the sad state of affairs regarding Chicago’s inability to impact quarterbacks last season more than this: Rookie safetyProduction from the interior was essentially non-existent. Defensive tackleled the position group with 3.
0 sacks. Jones returns to the Bears, but he’s hardly guaranteed a starting role based on last year’s lackluster performance. And even if he is, the spot next to him is relatively vacant as well. The Bears signedin free agency, but Billings is a 300-plus pound nose tackle with little-to-no pass-rushing upside. If Jones and Billings are designated for early-down duty, the formation will be altered on third-and-obvious passing downs. Pickens possesses every opportunity necessary to replace Billings in designated pass-rushing situations. It shouldn’t take much for Pickens to climb the depth chart. A former 5-star prospect coming out of high school, Pickens strung together a productive career for the Gamecocks that managed to both impress and disappoint on occasion. In four seasons, Pickens accumulated 131 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks. Pickens was a consistent starter, but the production didn’t always meet the expectations that come attached with a 5-star rating. Pickens was extremely versatile for the Gamecocks. Pickens played all over the interior from 0-tech to 3-tech, the latter of which allowed him to utilize his sheer combination of size, power, and athleticism. Those flashes on tape, paired with raw traits, helped Pickens secure a top-100 draft positioning.. Pickens ran an 89th-percentile 4.89 in the 40. Lower-body explosion was put forth via a 95th-percentile 116-inch broad jump. As a pass rusher, Pickens demonstrates dynamic hand speed that allows him to defeat his assignment in their initial punch. When Pickens wins early, opposing offensive linemen rarely manage to recover. Further refinement is needed, but Pickens has a promising profile when tasked with getting after quarterbacks. The destination is often an underappreciated element of post-draft scouting. Pickens couldn’t have landed in a better spot from an opportunity and coaching perspective. Pickens will play for an excellent defensive-minded head coach in. Pickens possesses 85th-percentile arm length and 80th-percentile hand size . Chicago’s defensive coaching staff will appreciate an opportunity to work with Pickens’ moldable traits. Pickens wasn’t Poles’ lone draft selection at defensive tackle. Understanding the need, the Bears also selected . in the second round , just 11 picks before selecting Pickens . Pickens and Dexter will compete for playing time. If Pickens reaches his potential, he’ll quickly play his way into Chicago’s lineup.single need this offseason on a squad that earned the No. 1 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft before trading it away. Pickens has the profile of a potential difference-maker.
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