Bears' Mandatory Minicamp: Three defensive players to keep a close eye on during practice this week
This week marks the start of mandatory minicamp for all 32 teams in the NFL and practice for the Chicago Bears begins on Tuesday, June 4th.The Bears will hold three days of minicamp before taking a 42 day break leading up to training camp. Since this week's practice is mandatory, all players are expected to […]
This week marks the start of mandatory minicamp for all 32 teams in the NFL and practice for the Chicago Bears begins on Tuesday, June 4th.
The Bears will hold three days of minicamp before taking a 42 day break leading up to training camp. Since this week's practice is mandatory, all players are expected to be in attendance, which ramps up the competition for various spots on the roster.
I've already covered which three offensive players fans should keep their eyes on this week at practice, now let's break down the three defensive players to keep an eye on.
1. DT Zacch Pickens
Under new defensive coordinator Eric Washington, the Bears' defensive front is expected to see a lot more development and attention leading up to the 2024 season.
Second-year defensive tackle Zacch Pickens is one player in particular who will see a lot of help from Washington's guidance. The Bears currently are expected to have Gervon Dexter and Andrew Billings as the listed starters on the interior but Pickens will still have a prominent role in the rotation. Here's what Washington had to say about what he's looking to see out of both Pickens and Dexter during practice:
“I want to see polished fundamentals,” Washington said. “I want to see things that I know will allow them to be as disruptive and as efficient with their rush fundamentals as possible. We’re talking footwork, alignment adjustments based on the down and distance, and when we’re in an obvious passing situation. It’s more awareness and just a great coordination of fundamentals that I know that are going to give them a chance to really win that particular rep and down.”
Dexter has already gotten some great reviews from head coach Matt Eberflus and Washington and on Friday we finally got some good reports about Pickens. According to Nicholas Moreano, Pickens "destroyed Ja’Tyre Carter, who was playing left guard, and would’ve got a sack on Williams" during 11-on-11 drills. Let's see if he continues to make some attention grabbing plays during minicamp.
2. DE Austin Booker
The Bears' fifth-round draft choice in the 2024 NFL Draft needed some added development of his own coming into the league this offseason but is already off to a hot start. Austin Booker got tons of valuable reps during rookie minicamp and even more in OTAs considering Montez Sweat was absent and DeMarcus Walker did not practice last week due to an illness.
Even though Booker and the younger players got more reps in at practice with the two veterans out, Eberflus said that it's hard to evaluate their progress with full contact in pads prohibited at this point in the offseason.
That will still be the case this week but having Sweat back a practice will give Booker an experienced veteran to learn from who's dominated at this level of football. It's irreplaceable knowledge to have for a rookie player. When asked about what Booker can show during this period of the offseason, Washington was completely honest.
"The first thing is execution," Washington said. "As we start to install this defensive package, he needs to execute his assignment. Get lined up and just execute. Do that with a lot of speed, quickness, and velocity. And then to show me, even in this format, that he understands how to set up the offensive tackle as a one-on-one rusher… I want to see him process the call very quickly, get lined up, and explode."
3. CB Kyler Gordon
During this time of year, you usually don't have your attention on players with three or more seasons under their belt, unless they're joining a new team or system. However, things will be different for slot cornerback Kyler Gordon this week.
Gordon is going to be facing the top of the top competition this week during minicamp with veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen expected to be back on the field. Allen was not present for voluntary OTAs during the last two weeks and his return will give Gordon a top play maker to line up against.
Allen is one of the best slot wide receivers in the league and a true technician off the line of scrimmage. Being able to play in coverage against Allen this week at practice will be a massive challenge for Gordon. I'm eager to see how he matches up against him throughout the week.
Bears expecting two star players to return to the field for mandatory minicamp after missing OTAs
Great news for the team.
