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Ryan Poles Explains How Gervon Dexter Became a Major Bargain for the Bears

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Vince Carbonneau
April 30, 2023  (9:55)
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The Chicago Bears bolstered their defensive line by picking Florida defensive tackle Gervon Dexter in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft.

Last season, the Bears had the weakest defensive line in the NFL, prompting general manager Ryan Poles to take swift action in both free agency and the draft's second day.

Dexter offers versatility as a defensive lineman, capable of lining up at both 1-technique and 3-technique positions. This aligns with the Bears' offseason strategy of acquiring players who can fill multiple roles. Dexter's explosive first step enables him to penetrate and disrupt the opposition's run game.

With his size and athleticism, Dexter has been likened to DeForest Buckner, and defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus may see him as the Bears' equivalent on their defensive line. Despite only notching five sacks in college, Dexter has the potential to excel in the crucial 3-technique spot in Eberflus' defense. By the time the Bears selected, numerous higher-rated pass rushers were already taken, so it's uncertain if they had other preferences. Nonetheless, Poles chose Dexter over other esteemed prospects such as Tuli Tuipulotu, Isaiah McGuire, Zacch Pickens, and Byron Young.

Nevertheless, Poles remained unfazed when questioned about this issue. He offered a rationale for the absence of production, which had nothing to do with Dexter's capabilities. Instead, it was primarily related to the tasks he was assigned.

"You're kind of piecing it together. Foot speed. The ability to get skinny. The acceleration of burst to finish. The toolbox in your pass-rush skills. Those go into it. And then what is he asked to do at his school? So for Dexter, little bit more of a square stance, read and mirror, when that's the case, you're not really on your toes and penetrating and getting up the field, so you got to piece those things together and that can help you show where the upside is and how in our system it can be even better in terms of how they affect the quarterback."

While Dexter has much to prove, his size positions him for success in the NFL. The Bears earn extra credit for addressing a critical area of need.

As seen at: Ryan Poles Detailed Why Gervon Dexter Was A Big Steal For Bears

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Ryan Poles Explains How Gervon Dexter Became a Major Bargain for the Bears

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