The Chicago Bears need help across their entire defensive line. That hasn’t changed since the off-season began. Things have improved over the past month. DeMarcus Walker brings solid versatility from Tennessee, while Andrew Billings shores up their run defense. However, they’re still missing a genuine difference-maker up front. Having failed to find one in free agency, their best hope is to go searching in the draft. GM Ryan Poles trusts the evaluations of his scouts and the developmental coaching of Matt Eberflus and his staff.
That might explain why the Bears are showing interest in Florida defensive tackle Gervon Dexter according to Aaron Wilson of Click 2 Houston.
“University of Florida defensive tackle Gervon Dexter has visits with the Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears, according to league sources.
Dexter (6-foot-6, 312 pounds) has run the 40-yard dash in 4.88 seconds. He had 31-inch vertical leap, a 9-2 broad jump, a 7.5 three-cone drill and bench pressed 225 pounds 22 times.”
Dexter fits the Bears’ profile. He’s big, strong, and athletic. Nobody can doubt his power. The problems lay in his lack of burst off the snap and his rudimentary hand-fighting technique. This is a big reason why his pass-rushing stats were so low (4.5 sacks in two seasons). What’s strange is he had 18 sacks during his senior season of high school. The pass rush potential is there. For whatever reason, the coaches at Florida failed to bring it out of him.
Ryan Poles must determine what his ceiling is.
Dexter’s physical profile is more than capable of finding success in the NFL. However, it’s not without risks. Other notable names with similar measurables and testing numbers include former high picks like Nick Fairley, Malik McDowell, and Montravius Adams. All proved to be disappointments at the pro level. There were some standouts, though. Dontari Poe made two Pro Bowls. Jonathan Babineaux played 12 seasons in Atlanta. Corey Simon had 32 sacks in his first five seasons with Philadelphia.
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Everything depends on what Ryan Poles and the Bears’ coaching staff feels they can get out of him. Eberflus has a track record of successfully coaching up defensive linemen. Denico Autry and Grover Stewart are two great examples from Indianapolis. It comes down to whether they can improve his snap anticipation and diversify his arsenal of moves. The talent is there. Their job is to determine how willing he is to work hard and improve. Dexter will likely be an option for them somewhere in the 3rd or 4th rounds.
