Should Chicago Bears draft this SEC defensive lineman?

The Chicago Bears need to build up their entire defensive line. They will have to look to the NFL draft. Is South Carolina defensive lineman Zacch Pickens a name that they need to watch for?

Chicago Bears Draft Profile: South Carolina Defensive Line Zacch Pickens

Zacch Pickens was a five-star recruit coming out of high school and was considered a big signing for the Gamecocks. He got onto the field as a freshman in a rotational role. About halfway through his sophomore year, Zacch Pickens got the starting role, and never looked back. He became a trusted staple of the South Carolina defense in both 2021 and 2022.

Zacch Pickens has played 1,834 snaps. He has lined up as a nose 15% of the time, a 3-technique 80% and he lined up outside the tackle on 5% of his snaps while at South Carolina. In that time he has 41 pressures, and 61 run stops, with 19 pressures, and 22 run stops coming last season.

Zacch Pickens’ strengths and weaknesses

One of the best traits that Zacch Pickens possesses is his first step. Het gets off of the football quickly and can take a hard step into the backfield that helps him drive the interior lineman back. Pickens does a great job overpowering centers when he gets lined up over them because he can beat them out of their stance.

This helps push pockets but also gets him into the backfield as a run defender.

There are some areas where he can improve. Pickens does not use his hands enough, and relies on his speed and beating linemen into gaps by processing the run. If he does get held up on his initial rush, he often just runs out of gas and remains ineffective.

Pickens also may be a better pass rusher than run defender. His run defense can be more hit or miss, and there are times when he loses the leverage battle.

Should Chicago Bears draft Zacch Pickens?

When you are talking about an SEC defensive lineman who had a decent week at the Senior Bowl, it is a player who should be on the Chicago Bears’ radar. If the team does not take Jalen Carter with their top pick, this would be a great consolation prize. One of the big questions they have to ask is Will Anderson and someone like Pickens, or Carter, and an edge rusher in this spot.

Zacch Pickens has a profile that could put him into a role similar to Justin Jones. As a rookie, he could be the backup three-technique behind Jones, and then slowly ascend over him if he can continue to develop his pass rush game.