Bears aren't playing around when it comes to improving key position
The Chicago Bears made it clear they are hellbent on improving the defensive line after drafting former South Carolina Gamecock Zacch Pickens with the 64th overall pick in the second round of the NFL Draft. The Bears defensive line was one of the NFL's worst units in terms of both pass rush and run defense, […]
The Chicago Bears made it clear they are hellbent on improving the defensive line after drafting former South Carolina Gamecock Zacch Pickens with the 64th overall pick in the second round of the NFL Draft.
The Bears defensive line was one of the NFL's worst units in terms of both pass rush and run defense, so it makes sense they'd want to stock up on as many capable players as possible.
Per Football Outsiders, the Bears defensive line ranked second-to-last in adjusted sack rate (4.8%) and allowed the seventh-highest adjusted line yards per rush in 2022. Those are abysmal numbers that needed to be fixed immediately and fortunately, the Bears are attempting to do just that.
The Athletic's Dane Brugler wrote the following scouting report on Pickens in his draft guide, The Beast:
Pickens must continue to hone his hand techniques as a rusher and anchor in the run game, but he plays on his feet with the agility, balance and length to instinctively react to blockers. He projects as a rotational tackle as a rookie with starting upside.
It's clear the Bears are prepping for life beyond Justin Jones
Jones had an OK year in 2022, but it's clear he's not the long-term answer at the 3-tech position on the Bears defense.
I mean, let's be honest: Jones wasn't even the Bears first choice in free agency, last year. The team offered Larry Ogunjobi a massive contract before a failed physical tore the deal apart and led to the Bears offering Jones a two-year, $12 million deal.
The Bears can even save nearly $5 million against the cap by releasing Jones, so his immediate future isn't guaranteed, either. The Bears' other second-round pick, Gervon Dexter Sr., could end up beating him out in camp and Pickens could end up as the backup. That probably won't happen, but only time will tell, obviously.
Either way, it's clear the Bears are making a serious attempt to upgrade what is a key position in Matt Eberflus' defense.
