Why The Chicago Bears Didn’t Draft 3 Defensive Tackles By Coincidence

The Chicago Bears pulled a considerable surprise in the 2023 NFL draft. Of the ten picks they made, three of them were defensive tackles. First was Gervon Dexter in the 2nd round, then Zacch Pickens in the 3rd, and finally, Travis Bell in the 7th. That doesn’t even account for them signing Andrew Billings in free agency. The investment at defensive tackle this off-season has been nothing short of massive. Maybe it was a simple case of the draft board falling that way. However, a closer look shows it always should’ve been expected.

There is no way around this next statement. Chicago’s defensive interior last season was a joke. It might’ve been the weakest this organization has put on the field in easily a decade. People talk about how bad the pass rush was. They too easily forget the run defense might actually have been worse. Pro Football Focus graded all six Bears defensive tackles that logged snaps last season. Not only of them managed a run defense grade of 45 or higher. For context, a grade in the 60s is considered average.

So yeah, it was ugly. The tape shows it plenty too.

The Chicago Bears ordered beef and they got it.

Billings should be an immediate help in this arena. At 6’1, 330 lbs, he is difficult to move without double teams. Dexter should also become a contributor right away. Run defense was his strength at Florida, showcasing his large 6’6 frame and violent hands. Together with the arrivals of Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards at linebacker, the Bears’ defense up the middle has become far tougher than a year ago. That doesn’t include DeMarcus Walker arriving at defensive end. He’s stout against the run as well.

People are right to worry about the pass rush. It’s still a problem. However, veteran coaches still say the core need of defense today is stopping the run. Doing so limits the opponent’s ability to utilize play action. Selling fakes becomes harder. That eases pressure on the secondary in coverage. It might not solve all of the Chicago Bears’ problems, but it should be a step in the right direction. Even going from 31st in the NFL against the run to 15th would be a huge win for this team.