Chicago Bears position battles: The three technique

Zacch Pickens — Rookie challenger #2

Zacch Pickens is the second rookie challenger for the job. He offers an interesting prospect with his versatility and potential for growth. His ability to play on the edge, as well as inside, offers the Bears intriguing options for different packages and schemes.

Pickens, like Dexter, has good athleticism, quickness, and strength to perform well. Unlike Dexter, though, he explodes off the snap. He can get into the backfield quickly and wreak some havoc. Moreover, he has quick hands that he uses to defeat the blocker’s initial punch or to put them up to bat the ball down.

Pickens has experience playing all along the defensive line. He has the length and quickness to kick outside to play defensive end. With his strength and quick get-off, he can be a good three-technique. Additionally, he could line up over the center and succeed there as well.

If you notice, Poles has players who can play any position on the defensive line. Williams has plenty of options to use when preparing a game plan. He can move Jones, Dexter, and Pickens in just about any spot and have an effective defensive line. The line is better prepared to handle the run, something that the unit struggled against last season.

Additionally, there is a lot better talent in the middle. If the men in the middle are doing their jobs, whoever plays defensive end will have an easier time getting to the quarterback, something else the defense struggled with last season.

Throw in some of the other backups and the defensive line, which was a liability in 2022, can be one of the team’s strengths in 2023. Now it is up to Williams to try to make the pieces fit.