- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 438,639
- Reaction score
- 44
The Chicago Bears are in the middle of an important offseason, where they're looking to develop into a contender under new head coach Ben Johnson.
Following a busy free agency that included some big-name additions, including offensive linemen Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson and Drew Dalman, as well as defensive linemen Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo, the Bears are shifting their focus toward the 2025 NFL draft.
Chicago has seven draft picks, even after their two trades, including four in the Top 75 -- 10th overall, a pair of high second rounders and a third-round selection.
Here at Bears Wire, we're going position by position to break down where Chicago stands entering the 2025 NFL draft. Up next are the defensive tackles, a group that is returning both starters from 2024 while adding a Pro Bowl veteran in free agency.
The Bears had a pair of quality starters at the defensive tackle position. Gervon Dexter took a significant step in his development during Year 2, producing five sacks and four tackles for loss in 15 games. He was particularly effective when Andrew Billings was on the field next to him. Billings was the glue in the middle of the defensive line thanks to his strong run defense and ability to swallow up blockers. His season was cut short after eight games due to a torn pectoral, however, and the Bears' defensive line wasn't the same. Billings' absence impacted Dexter's production, who managed just one sack and one tackle for loss in the final seven games he played.
General manager Ryan Poles realized the Bears needed help in the interior of the line and brought in reinforcements at the start of free agency. Grady Jarrett, one of the best defensive tackles over the last decade, was a cap casualty of the Atlanta Falcons, and the Bears scooped him up. Jarrett signed a three-year deal and brings needed leadership and experience to the room. Playing in all 17 games last year, Jarrett totaled 2.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss, one year removed from suffering a torn ACL. With a fully healthy offseason ahead of him, Jarrett should have plenty of production left in him as he works with Dexter and Billings as the primary tackles.
The reserves behind them are led by Chris Williams, who was acquired via trade just days before Week 1 last season and was re-signed as an exclusive rights free agent. Zaach Pickens was selected at the top of the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft but hasn't panned out thus far, unlike Dexter, his fellow draftmate. Pickens dealt with injuries early on but was made a healthy scratch near the end of the season. Jonathan Ford joined the Bears late in the season and re-signed as an exclusive rights free agent.
Just one defensive tackle departed during the offseason: veteran Byron Cowart. The former top high school prospect in the nation had a productive stint in Chicago. Cowart finished the year with a career high in sacks (2.5) and tackles for loss (five), seeing more action late in the season following injuries to Billings and Dexter. He signed a one-year deal with the New York Jets.
Going into last season, the Bears were too thin at defensive tackle. If Billings or Dexter were to go down, there was going to be a significant drop-off in production at the position. That's exactly what happened, and the Bears responded by adding Jarrett. It was a solid move that will give them more flexibility on the line, but it shouldn't preclude them from adding additional players in the draft. And they still don't have a star they can count on, either.
Dexter's arrow is pointing up, but he has limitations. Billings is coming off a serious injury and is on the wrong side of 30. Jarrett should still be able to produce, but he's no longer the Pro Bowl-caliber player from his Falcons days. It's a nice group that can use another quality player in the rotation.
There is one defensive tackle in this class who stands above the rest, and that is Mason Graham out of Michigan. Graham is one of the top-10 prospects in the draft who was a nightmare for Big Ten offensive lines to deal with. It seems likely Graham will be gone by the time the Bears pick, so if they're interested, they may have to trade up. Or they can try and snag his teammate, Kenneth Grant, with one of their second-round picks. Grant and Derrick Harmon are both massive linemen who could be available when the Bears pick on Day 2. It's very possible one of their top three picks goes to a defensive tackle for Dennis Allen's defense.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2025 NFL draft preview: Where do Bears stand at defensive tackle?
Continue reading...
Following a busy free agency that included some big-name additions, including offensive linemen Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson and Drew Dalman, as well as defensive linemen Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo, the Bears are shifting their focus toward the 2025 NFL draft.
Chicago has seven draft picks, even after their two trades, including four in the Top 75 -- 10th overall, a pair of high second rounders and a third-round selection.
Here at Bears Wire, we're going position by position to break down where Chicago stands entering the 2025 NFL draft. Up next are the defensive tackles, a group that is returning both starters from 2024 while adding a Pro Bowl veteran in free agency.
Who's on the roster?
- Gervon Dexter
- Andrew Billings
- Grady Jarrett
- Chris Williams
- Zacch Pickens
- Jonathan Ford
The Bears had a pair of quality starters at the defensive tackle position. Gervon Dexter took a significant step in his development during Year 2, producing five sacks and four tackles for loss in 15 games. He was particularly effective when Andrew Billings was on the field next to him. Billings was the glue in the middle of the defensive line thanks to his strong run defense and ability to swallow up blockers. His season was cut short after eight games due to a torn pectoral, however, and the Bears' defensive line wasn't the same. Billings' absence impacted Dexter's production, who managed just one sack and one tackle for loss in the final seven games he played.
General manager Ryan Poles realized the Bears needed help in the interior of the line and brought in reinforcements at the start of free agency. Grady Jarrett, one of the best defensive tackles over the last decade, was a cap casualty of the Atlanta Falcons, and the Bears scooped him up. Jarrett signed a three-year deal and brings needed leadership and experience to the room. Playing in all 17 games last year, Jarrett totaled 2.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss, one year removed from suffering a torn ACL. With a fully healthy offseason ahead of him, Jarrett should have plenty of production left in him as he works with Dexter and Billings as the primary tackles.
The reserves behind them are led by Chris Williams, who was acquired via trade just days before Week 1 last season and was re-signed as an exclusive rights free agent. Zaach Pickens was selected at the top of the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft but hasn't panned out thus far, unlike Dexter, his fellow draftmate. Pickens dealt with injuries early on but was made a healthy scratch near the end of the season. Jonathan Ford joined the Bears late in the season and re-signed as an exclusive rights free agent.
You must be registered for see images
Who departed this offseason?
- Byron Cowart
Just one defensive tackle departed during the offseason: veteran Byron Cowart. The former top high school prospect in the nation had a productive stint in Chicago. Cowart finished the year with a career high in sacks (2.5) and tackles for loss (five), seeing more action late in the season following injuries to Billings and Dexter. He signed a one-year deal with the New York Jets.
Positional need: Moderate
Going into last season, the Bears were too thin at defensive tackle. If Billings or Dexter were to go down, there was going to be a significant drop-off in production at the position. That's exactly what happened, and the Bears responded by adding Jarrett. It was a solid move that will give them more flexibility on the line, but it shouldn't preclude them from adding additional players in the draft. And they still don't have a star they can count on, either.
Dexter's arrow is pointing up, but he has limitations. Billings is coming off a serious injury and is on the wrong side of 30. Jarrett should still be able to produce, but he's no longer the Pro Bowl-caliber player from his Falcons days. It's a nice group that can use another quality player in the rotation.
You must be registered for see images attach
Top draft prospects
- Mason Graham, Michigan
- Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
- Kenneth Grant, Michigan
- Derrick Harmon, Oregon
- Darius Alexander, Toledo
There is one defensive tackle in this class who stands above the rest, and that is Mason Graham out of Michigan. Graham is one of the top-10 prospects in the draft who was a nightmare for Big Ten offensive lines to deal with. It seems likely Graham will be gone by the time the Bears pick, so if they're interested, they may have to trade up. Or they can try and snag his teammate, Kenneth Grant, with one of their second-round picks. Grant and Derrick Harmon are both massive linemen who could be available when the Bears pick on Day 2. It's very possible one of their top three picks goes to a defensive tackle for Dennis Allen's defense.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2025 NFL draft preview: Where do Bears stand at defensive tackle?
Continue reading...
