Chicago Bears 2023 Mock Draft: Wheeling and dealing in full effect
player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. DT. Zacch Pickens. South Carolina. 137. 850
Chicago Bears pick Zacch Pickens, DL, South Carolina
With all the additional picks Poles acquired he is able to address the many holes on the roster. With this pick, he gets more help along the defensive line.
Zacch Pickens has quick enough hands to defeat offensive linemen to their initial punch. He has good, but not great, athleticism that allows him to stay on track and prevent them from recovering. When he beats the blocker quickly he is able to wreak havoc on the quarterback. This is something the Bears seriously lack.
Against the run, Pickens has the ability to break down blocks. He dominates against reach blocks and one-on-one zone blocks. He has the power and, at 6-foot-4, the length to press, read, and shed blockers. He is a disruptor at or behind the line of scrimmage.
His play at times demands a double-team. While he struggles against those double teams, the fact that offenses have to double-team him makes life easier for the other players on the line.
Pickens might not be a dominant force on the line but he is consistently good. He has the tools to be a good player. He’ll be a good contributor in a rotational role early on and could eventually be a good three-down player.