Zacch Pickens' Expectations For Himself In Chicago? Astronomical

It wasn't a secret the Chicago Bears wanted to bolster their defensive tackle position this off-season. Barely an hour after selecting Gervon Dexter in the 2nd round, they struck again early in the 3rd by taking Zacch Pickens from South Carolina. Immediate impressions were the team got a big athlete with good explosion and length. However, he is also underdeveloped as an interior pass rusher. He only had 7.5 sacks across three years in college. It was hard to say how much of that was his lack of polish and how much the defense was not allowing him to attack up the field more often.

GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus saw enough to believe he is capable of far more. The Bears' defensive system features the up-the-field attacking style that fits his game perfectly. Ability isn't the issue for Pickens. It is about how high he wants to go. His comments on the Bears YouTube series Meet The Rookies made that pretty clear.

"I just want to be remembered. Not just a name. I just want to be legendary."

High standards are a good thing. Pickens' mother has instilled a strong work ethic in him since he was young. He can be anything he wants if he takes that and stays resilient through the tough times ahead.

Zacch Pickens faces a high bar in Chicago.

This franchise has a stellar history when it comes to the defensive tackle position. Tommie Harris, Steve McMichael, Jim Osborne, and William Perry all carved out excellent careers. Pickens must focus on getting the quarterback on the ground if he wants the same level of respect. McMichael had 95 sacks. Osborne had 81. Harris had 28.5. Recognition isn't given in this town. It's earned. Being a 3rd round pick comes with certain expectations. McMichael was a 3rd rounder. Osborne was a 7th.

The first step towards becoming a legend is outplaying your draft slot. Zacch Pickens has 1st round ability. That is a fact. He's big, long, and athletic. The sticking point for many was his iffy production and soft-looking physique. Eberflus and the coaching staff should solve the latter issue. His practices are known for being rigorous. Pickens will either get in great shape, or he'll quit. As for the production, that's up to him. Pro offensive linemen won't make it easy. He must develop the killer instinct necessary to achieve his dream.