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Gervon Dexter is a gamble for Chicago to take in Round Two

By Benjamin Henderson

Sep 18, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators defensive lineman Gervon Dexter (9) against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators defensive lineman Gervon Dexter (9) against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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There is no disputing that Florida Gators defensive tackle Gervon Dexter is a physically gifted human being. Listed at 6’6″ and 310 pounds, he is an athletic defensive tackle that some team was going to take a shot on in the NFL Draft.

But the disconnect between his physical attributes and what actually shows up on film is why it is a gamble for the Chicago Bears to take Dexter when it did.

Gervon Dexter in his lab

Coming out of high school, Dexter was one of the country’s top-five rated defensive linemen and was the headliner for the Florida Gators’ class of 2020. And during his time in Gainesville, Dexter was productive and was a mainstay along the defensive line during his three years with Florida. His 2021 and 2022 campaigns both produced similar results, with Dexter accumulating 50 tackles in both seasons.

And while Dexter had flashes of greatness, he never felt like a guy that would ever take over a game. His pass rush was almost non-existent, racking up just 4.5 sacks in 38 games played in college.

As a run-stopper, he never really shut down opposing running games. Florida’s run defense in 2022 gave up 4.7 yards per rush, which ranked 98th out of 131 teams in college football. All that obviously can’t be pinned on Dexter, but he finished his college career with just 9.5 tackles for loss, which means he only blew up a running play five times during his entire career.

Some would argue that Dexter was doubled teamed a lot and there is a hint of truth to that statement.

But the deeper concern for Dexter heading into the NFL is that he hasn’t really progressed athletically since arriving in Gainesville. His Combine performance was okay, running a 4.88 40-yard dash, but nothing that screamed this is a must-have athlete that can compensate for lack of technique. His bench press was also towards the bottom of defensive tackles and his three-cone drill was mid.

This isn’t to say that Dexter was a bad teammate or a bad player, but you were always left wanting more from him.

If we are being honest Chicago fans, we wouldn’t have drafted him as high.

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