These D-Linemen Shined In Front Of Bears At Scouting Combine

The Chicago Bears defensive line was, quite frankly, an embarassment in 2022. That is what happens when you gut the entire unit over the course of a few months. Khalil Mack, Akiem Hicks, Bilal Nicholas, and Robert Quinn were all gone by the end of October. So it shouldn't have been a huge shock the group barely managed ten total sacks for the season. That isn't going to cut it if the Matt Eberflus and Ryan Poles want this defense to regain its standing among the league's best.

So it's fortunate timing that the 2023 draft class appears rich in defensive line talent. The scouting combine finished its first day of on-field drills in Indianapolis. Both the defensive ends and defensive tackles put on a show with some wild numbers. Here are some that stood out the most.

The Chicago Bears had to like what they saw from the DL group.

Lukas Van Ness (DE, Iowa)

• 40-yard dash: 4.58 seconds
• Vertical leap: 31 inches
• Broad jump: 9 ft, 10 in
• Three-cone: 7.02 seconds

At 6'5, 275 lbs, Van Ness looks like the prototypical 4-3 defensive end. He's an absolute powerhouse, earning the nickname "Hercules." His combine performance showcased he is a ridiculous athlete for that size too. His 7.02 in the three-cone ranks alongside eventual NFL greats like T.J. Watt and Joey Bosa.

Will Anderson (EDGE, Alabama)

• 40-yard dash: 4.60 seconds
• Vertical leap: N/A
• Broad jump: N/A
• Three-cone: N/A

With Jalen Carter fading, it feels like Anderson is now the unquestioned best non-QB prospect in the class. He didn't do all the drills, but his 4.6 times and 1.61 in the 10-yard split demonstrated his excellent explosiveness. In addition, he reportedly looked fluid and sharp in agility drills.

Adetomiwa Adebawore (EDGE, Northwestern)

• 40-yard dash: 4.49 seconds
• Vertical leap: 37.5 inches
• Broad jump: 10 ft, 5 in
• Three-cone: N/A

Adebawore was a breakout star at the Senior Bowl. He carried that momentum into the combine with one of the best performances ever as a defensive lineman. Keep in mind he weighs over 280 lbs and still ran the 40 with a time that would be considered good for a wide receiver.

Calijah Kancey (DT, Pitt)

• 40-yard dash: 4.67 seconds
• Vertical leap: N/A
• Broad jump: N/A
• Three-cone: N/A

Defensive tackles generally run somewhere between 4.9 and 5.0 in the 40. So for Kancey to run a 4.67, it validated the explosiveness he constantly showed on tape. He has all the traits of a perfect interior pass rusher. The problem is can the Chicago Bears look past his extremely short arms?

Zacch Pickens (DT, South Carolina)

• 40-yard dash: 4.89 seconds
• Vertical leap: 30.5 inches
• Broad jump: 9 ft, 8 in
• Three-cone: 7.45

There were questions about Pickens' athletic profile. He silenced them with a strong showing. He moves well for his size, showing some quickness and explosion. His 34-inch arms should help with his pass rush potential. It's about whether the Bears can get out of him what the Gamecocks failed to.