Gervon Dexter was a surprise when the Chicago Bears drafted him in the 2nd round. While everybody acknowledged the team needed defensive tackle help, he wasn't the first name that popped to mind. This defense needed an interior pass rusher. Nothing about Dexter's time at Florida suggested this was the job for him. He was known more for being a stout run defender. That isn't a bad thing. The Bears needed that too. However, spending a 2nd rounder on a nose tackle felt a bit rich, given their other needs.
GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus weren't deterred. They felt Dexter had enough ability to help them immediately and more upside than people realized. His mix of size, athleticism, and quickness could be developed into a more well-rounded player. The process has begun with rookie minicamps and OTAs. Whispers out of practice are that Matt Eberflus almost got railroaded by the powerful defensive tackle during sled drills. The Bears' social media team then provided an update on his progress.
One thing is clear. This dude goes 100 miles per hour.
It's getting easier to see the appeal of Gervon Dexter.
As advertised, he moves well for his size and slaps with plenty of power. What people didn't know about him was his work ethic. How a player practices usually bleeds into how they play. If Dexter is going that hard in OTAs, it bodes well for what he may accomplish when snaps get real in September. He certainly fits the profile of what Poles and Eberflus have wanted. They seek players that are willing to work hard and play with intensity. Dexter checked both of those boxes.
The interesting discussion is where he slots into the rotation. Initial projections have veterans Justin Jones and Andrew Billings as the starters at defensive tackle. That means Gervon Dexter and fellow rookie Zacch Pickens would serve as backups. They have three months to change that. Training camp starts in late July, followed by three preseason games. Eberflus has already shown he's not afraid to play rookies if they earn the opportunity. See Braxton Jones. Dexter will be a fun one to watch.
