Athletic DT Has Chicago Bears Attention Ahead Of Draft

Sherlock Holmes wasn't exactly needed to solve the mystery of the Chicago Bears' problems last season. It began and ended in the trenches. The offensive line gave up 55 sacks. The defensive line had 10.5 sacks. It was an atrocious performance on both sides of the ball. So it's hardly a surprise that GM Ryan Poles is focusing heavily on defensive tackles and edge rushers going into the NFL draft. Most of the speculation has been around Jalen Carter of Georgia as a likely target, but that has become complicated.

Carter was involved in a reported street race that killed two people, resulting in misdemeanor charges. The Bears may want no part of that. That means looking at alternatives for defensive tackle. One name appears to have their attention. Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network revealed Chicago had one of their private visits with South Carolina's Zacch Pickens. He had a decent career for the Gamecocks with 6.5 sacks and nine tackles for a loss over the past two seasons.

Chicago Bears' interest in Pickens is no surprise.

Despite his rather bland stat line, the young defensive tackle has considerable upside. He's 6'4, 291 lbs, and boasts arms in excess of 34 inches. Remember, the Bears covet longer players. He checks the box. The combine and Senior Bowl also demonstrated he is a good athlete. Pickens had a 4.89 time in the 40-yard dash. He was one of only six defensive tackles to finish under five seconds in that event. He also had the fourth-best vertical jump at 30.5 inches and tied for the best broad jump at nine feet eight inches.

It isn't hard to see the appeal. Pickens is a big athlete with length. Players like that tend to find success in the NFL. He has a quick first step and isn't easily knocked off balance. South Carolina didn't use him often as a gap penetrator, which better serves his skillset. That might explain his limited production. The Chicago Bears would deploy him much differently. What they need to find out is where Pickens is mentally. How does he see the game and what is his work ethic like? His answers will determine if Poles and Eberflus think he has a bright future.