2023 NFL Draft Player Profiles: South Carolina DL Zacch Pickens

From now until the 2023 NFL Draft takes place, we hope to scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top 10 picks, all the way down to Day 3 selections and priority undrafted free agents Today, I’ll be profiling South Carolina DL Zacch Pickens.

#6 Zach Pickens, DL, South Carolina (Senior) – 6035, 300lb

Senior Bowl Invite

Measurements

— Has great size for the position in terms of height, length, and weight
— Strong, powerful defender that has noticeable pop in his upper and lower half
— Explodes into blockers, having the powerful punch to knock back blockers
— Brute strength allows him to collapse the pocket quickly after the snap
— Will stack and shed OL at the LOS to get into the hole and take up the gap
— Can time the snap to shoot and penetrate gaps
— Has an impressive swim move inside to quickly clear blockers
— Experienced Defender with three years of starting experience
— Played from 3-tech to over the nose as a 0-tech
— Shows effort and hustle to the football away from the play

— Lacks ideal open field speed and coordination for the position
— Can get knocked off balance when engaged with blockers
— has a bad habit of popping straight up off the snap
— Loses leverage when engaged with blockers due to pad height
— Will get washed on down blocks or pushed back on combo blocks when standing straight up
— Needs to use his legs more consistently when engaged with blockers to fight pressure
— Can lunge into blocks, having his pads over his toes
— Needs to show more urgency to disengage blocks
— Motor in pursuit runs hot and cold
— Lacks hand usage and a pass rush plan chasing after the QB
— Needs to develop a counter move when he doesn’t win with initial quickness or power

— Senior Prospect from Anderson, S.