The 2017 NFL season will be a pivotal one for Chicago Bears defensive tackle Zacch Pickens.
Pickens, 24, is entering his second season with the Bears after playing in all 17 games as a rookie last year. He did not start and instead rotated through the middle. Considering Pickens played only 25% of Chicago’s defensive snaps in 2024, it’s surprising that NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal puts the young DT ahead of incumbent starter Andrew Billings in his most recent 53-man roster projection.
“The defensive line is the biggest worry,” Rosenthal wrote on May 21. “The Bears need their 2023 draft picks (second-rounder Gervon Dexter Sr. and third-rounder Zacch Pickens) to step up at defensive tackle.”
Rosenthal has Dexter starting opposite Pickens, with no mention of the veteran Billings.
Zacch Pickens Starting at DT Over Andrew Billings Would Be Huge Surprise
Billings, 29, started all 17 games for the Bears last year on the left side. He played so well general manager Ryan Poles signed him to a two-year, $8.5 million contract extension halfway through the 2023 regular season.
Over the Cap reports that more than $5 million is promised. That is one reason it would be surprising if the Bears choose Pickens over Billings. Experience is another.
Billings has appeared in 84 games throughout his six seasons in the league, starting 68. Last season, the veteran DT made 17 starts for the Bears, totaling 27 tackles (three for loss) and two quarterback hits. He also had 21 hurries, according to Pro Football Focus.
In 17 games, Pickens has 20 total tackles (one for loss), 0.5 sacks, two quarterback hits, a forced fumble, and a pass defense. PFF also shows him logging six hurries. Pickens has shown flashes of potential, and if he can surpass Billings in training camp later this summer, he will have a chance to start. It’s a far shot, but it is there.
Bears DC Eric Washington Hopes to See Leap From Young DTs in Year 2
Last year, Pickens focused completely on studying the nose tackle position, taking 181 snaps in the B gap and 54 in the A gap. That’s unlikely to change this year. Dexter, who had 16 hurries and nine QB hits last season, played the majority of his snaps between the offensive guard and tackle (328), but unlike Pickens, he also lined up over the tackle on occasion (71 snaps).
It will be interesting to see how the young duo of DTs line up once the pads come on. Regardless, head coach Matt Eberflus and company have made it clear what they will be looking for.
“I want to see polished fundamentals,” new Bears defensive coordinator Eric Washington said of Dexter and Pickens at rookie minicamp.
“I want to see things that will enable them to be as disruptive and efficient with their rush fundamentals as possible. We’re talking about footwork, alignment modifications (depending on down and distance), and obvious passing situations. It’s greater awareness and a fantastic coordination of fundamentals, which I know will give them a chance to win that specific rep and down.”
