Gervon Dexter Sr.: Gator undertaking fills an enormous want in 3-tech

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The Bears stood at #53 Friday night time and bought their three techs, choosing Florida defensive deal with Gervon Dexter Sr.

Enjoying Dexter, a three-year rookie at simply 21 years outdated, has a transparent want alongside the defensive position and numbers to slide into the essential level on Matt Eberflus’ protection. Basic Supervisor’s first two picks Ryan Pauls tackled the trenches.

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Dexter was the perfect defensive deal with accessible, per Dane Brugler’s final large vamp. Wisconsin’s Keeanu Benton went just a few picks earlier to the Steelers. Northwestern’s Adetomiwa Adebawore was additionally on the board, however Dexter is about 6-foot-6.

The Bears may have rebounded to the cornerback, however the triple approach is a better want, and a number of other edge runners got here off the plate Friday night time.

introduction

Dexter was the No. 3 defensive offense within the 2020 recruiting class — forward of Jalen Carter — and was additionally recruited to play ACC basketball. In three seasons with the Gators, he performed in 38 soccer video games with 24 begins and had 9 1/2 tackles for loss, 4 1/2 sacks, 4 passes defensed and two interceptions. Dexter was all the time on level along with his profession, enjoying in each sport over his three seasons in Gainesville.

Dexter ran a 4.88/40 within the mix, fifth greatest amongst defensive tackles. He had the third-best header in his place and the fifth-best three-cone time.

How does it match him

Eberflus calls the 3-tech the “engine” that makes the protection go. He’s the within linebacker who traces up on the surface shoulder of the guard and is predicted to hurry the passer. We all know how essential that’s to the protection, and that’s the place Dexter performed within the Gators’ four-man entrance.

You’d most likely prefer to see extra manufacturing from Dexter, however defensive position stats in faculty might be overestimated relying on the participant’s function. The Bears certain have appeared on the tape to see how Dexter dealt with the SEC’s offensive linemen. Bruegler wrote that Dexter “should develop a extra disciplined type of turning flashes into extra constant play, however he’s a nimble, constant large man who hasn’t given his greatest but. He’s a projection based mostly on traits and might play each up and down.”

bullish impact

Dexter will likely be relied upon to be the long-range triple runner for this protection. They don’t have anybody else – these two veterans are on expired contracts.

Brugler wrote that Dexter “has been reported a number of instances for roughness attributable to his tendency to place all his weight on the quarterback,” and the teaching employees must work on that as a result of he will likely be harder within the NFL. On the plus aspect, Dexter performs “with an urgency within the working sport,” and the Bears protection struggled late final season.

From an Eberflus perspective, Brugler writes that Dexter “has assumed a extra management function in 2022 and coaches have described him as a ‘unifying presence’ behind the scenes.” This can have some weight with the bears’ resolution makers.

Depth graph impact

The Bears entered the draft with two defensive tackles: Justin Jones, who was within the remaining yr of his two-year contract, and Andrew Billings, who’s a extra nostril deal with and has a one-year contract.

Jones led the workforce in tackles for losses final season, however he’s higher off as a serious league participant if the D-line performs at a excessive degree. Dexter could have extra potential to be a game-breaker along with his traits, but when he takes a while to regulate, he may study from Jones. There’s nonetheless room so as to add bears right here, contemplating the worth Eberflus locations on the place.

Fast analysis

The defensive position was woefully outclassed all through the second half of final season, and a participant as majestic as Dexter ought to solely assist. “Dexter carries his weight nicely with wonderful quickness of foot and speeding passing potential, although you would like he had extra backfield manufacturing to supply him,” Bruegler wrote. “His affect might be traced to his capability to faucet—he’s a really totally different participant when he’s utilizing his lengthy tackles to place blockers on skates as a move rusher or anchor, stacking and dealing the purpose in a working sport.”

Dexter has the traits and pedigree of a prime recruit, and the Bears will likely be relying on Eberflus, defensive coordinator Alan Williams and defensive position coach Travis Smith to profit from his tri-tech.

(Photograph: Joe Robbins/Getty Photographs)