The Chicago Bears selected South Carolina defensive tackle Zacch Pickens with the 64th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, adding their second defensive lineman of Day 2.
After having the second-worst run defense last year, Chicago strengthened in the trenches, adding Pickens with the first pick of the third round. The South Carolina defensive tackle is an explosive one-gap run defender and upgrades the interior of the Bears’ defense.
Here’s a quick scouting report on Pickens:
Vitals
Position: DT
Age: 23
School: South Carolina
Measurables: 6-foot-4, 291 pounds
Strengths
- Great run stopper with the ability to mirror offensive linemen and disrupt the line of scrimmage
- He is strong at the point of attack and excels at getting his hands on linemen to create separation
- Pickens has an explosive first step and is great fit for a nose tackle or 2i (inside shoulder of guard) in a 4-3 defense
Weaknesses
- He is not a great lateral mover, which limits his ability to redirect and find the football
- Limited pass rush skill set and will need to add a couple of moves to pair with his bull rush
- Struggles to maintain a consistent pad level when rushing the passer
Fit with Bears
Chicago needed to upgrade the interior defensive line. The Bears had one of the worst rush defenses in the NFL last year and allowed the most rushing touchdowns. The combination of Pickens and 56th overall pick Gervon Dexter bulk up the middle of the defense by adding two players who can control the line of scrimmage.
