Chicago Bears: Pickens Could Be The Biggest Steal Of The Draft

While Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles did an excellent job of improving the roster, the selection of Zacch Pickens could be his best.

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles certainly had an impactful offseason. He set out to improve a roster that only managed to win three games in 2022 (and lost their final 10 games).

Poles had the most salary cap space and the number one overall pick of the draft. He took advantage of that and filled a lot of holes. He got Justin Fields the targets and protection he needs to become a better passer.

Then, at the draft, Poles strengthened the roster even more. Though he traded away the top pick, he received a second-round and future picks, along with wide receiver D.J. Moore. In all, he has 10 picks to try to improve the roster.

Poles did a good job of filling the holes on the roster. He made the team tougher, faster, and more athletic. While it was not a sexy draft, he filled many of the holes on the roster. Sure, the job is not done yet (there is still a need for a reliable edge rusher). However, this is a much-improved roster that should win more games and be more fun in 2023.

Which prospect selected could flourish?

Poles did a good job of adding some good prospects to the roster. Darnell Wright is an athletic big man who will not only protect Fields but also open holes for the running game.

Additionally, Poles added beef and power to the defensive line. In the secondary, he added length, hard hitters, and speed.

There is one prospect, however, who might end up being one of the steals of the draft. That prospect is defensive tackle Zacch Pickens.

Pickens has risen up the boards once the season ended. He had a great week of practice during the Senior Bowl. He then became more popular after showing out at the NFL Combine. There, he recorded a 4.89-40 and a 1.74-10-yard split. Furthermore, he had a 30.5-inch vertical and a 9-foot-8 broad jump. That means in addition to being fast off the snap, he can leap up and bat away a ton of passes.

While Pickens might not have the numbers against the pass that you’d expect (he had 7.5 sacks in four seasons), he has the athleticism and quickness off the snap to be a disruptor. He has to be accounted for so he attracts double teams. As a result, the pass rushers on the edge end up seeing a lot of one-on-one. That makes it easier for them to make plays.

ESPN’s Todd McShay called Pickens one of his favorite picks of the draft. He named him as a steal for the Bears. Here is what he said about him.

Matt Eberflus’ defense relies on a good, penetrating 3-technique up the middle, and that’s Pickens…And while Pickens had only 2.5 sacks last season, his explosion, first-step quickness and power suggest he can be more disruptive than his numbers suggest. I’d like to see a more diverse pass-rush move arsenal…That burst and power up the middle will define his pro game.

Pickens played both the three-technique and nose tackle in college. He will mostly be the three-technique for the Chicago Bears. However, having the ability to move over gives the defense more options. He could certainly become a stalwart on the Chicago Bears defensive line for years to come.