In an ongoing mini-series this is the second draft profile of the four players in the 2023 NFL Draft I identified as potential fits for the Bucs at defensive tackle. Today I will take a look at South Carolina defensive lineman Zacch Pickens. After looking at his 2022 tape here are my thoughts on Pickens, his potential fit and his potential fit with the Bucs.

Zacch Pickens’ Background

Pickens was originally a five-star recruit out of Anderson, SC. He was ranked 9th nationally by Rivals.com. He committed to the University of South Carolina in May of 2018. He logged significant playing time in each of his four seasons playing eight games in 2019, 10 in 2020, 13 in 2021 and 12 in 2022. His snap counts steadily increased over that time from 224 in his freshmen year to 605 this past year.

Pickens’ production steadily increased as well. For his career Pickens compiled 131 tackles, 11.5 for loss, 7.5 sacks, four passes defensed, and two fumbles recovered. Pickens best season statistically came in 2021 when he set career highs in sacks (four) and tackles for loss (five).

Pickens’ Profile

Pickens is a bit of an undersized tackle, weighing in at 291 pounds at the NFL Combine. Despite those limitations he has lined up at every interior position including nose, 3-tecnique, 4i and 5-technique. And while he may be a bit undersized for what the Bucs may look for from a weight profile, the rest of his testing measurements came in at solid-to-outstanding.

Zacch Pickens is a DT prospect in the 2023 draft class. He scored a 9.16 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 125 out of 1478 DT from 1987 to 2023. https://t.co/jKp0i4eIo3 #RAS pic.twitter.com/adBYZ4ksnz

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 15, 2023

Pickens’ College Tape

South Carolina DT Zacch Pickens – Photo by: USA Today

After diving into his tape, I quickly found a ball of clay that can best be described by the word inconsistent. Some reps look amazing where he penetrates a gap with lightning quick speed and gets after a quarterback or stonewalls an offensive lineman at the point of attack, deconstructs the block and collapses on the ball carrier as he tries to skirt by.

On those high-end reps Pickens would display the lateral agility his athletic testing showed as he flowed with the play, often controlling his blocker until the last second when he would shake him for a tackle. Or he would burst off the line and get past the offensive line before his opponents could break out of their stances.

But far more often I found Pickens’ reps to display a lethargy where he could be late off the snap. This would lead to him getting bodied by double-teams and driven backwards with little anchor to counter. On these reps his athleticism was nowhere to be found as his movements became stiff and deliberate.

And Pickens’ effectiveness in pass rush situations waned as games wore on due to his limited pass rush arsenal. This allowed opposing guards and centers to anticipate his attack and be sufficiently prepared for it. If he is to become an above average starter in the NFL Pickens will need to learn to win in more varied ways.

How Pickens Can Fit In With The Bucs

As I watched Pickens, I kept thinking how his build and best role was so similar to that of 10-year Bucs veteran Will Gholston, who became a staple in Todd Bowles’ defense as a defensive end in base sets playing a 4i role. On passing downs Gholston acted as a rotational backup moving into a 3-technique. While Pickens logged snaps as a 0-technique and 1-technique nose tackle, I don’t think he has the anchor or heft to be successful in that role in the NFL.

Pickens’ athleticism will bolster his draft status, but if the Bucs are interested in him, they will most likely have to overdraft him from where I think his talent calls for at this time. However, if he is still available early-to-mid Day 3 he could prove to be a good depth option with developmental traits. I’ll leave you with a highlight video of Pickens’ top reps for reference on what he could be at his best.