Falcons sign Gervon Dexter to four-year extension

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler first reported the news. Dexter was finally traded after days of speculation that he could be on the move. Dexter had a career-high six sacks last year, but ultimately wasn’t a fit with the Bears defense. Falcons GM Ian Cunningham worked in the Bears front office when they made Dexter a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Entering the final year of his rookie contract, Dexter is eligible for an extension. With Da’Shawn Hand missing most of the preseason with a leg injury, Dexter could start right away for the Falcons.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported yesterday that the Bears have had trade discussions surrounding Dexter. Given the timing of this hamstring injury, we’ll assume it and the trade rumors are related. Dexter is entering the final year of his rookie deal and has been considerably productive for an interior pass-rusher. He has 11 sacks and 95 combined tackles over the past two seasons. A team that trades for him will likely extend him as well.

Dexter is filling in for the Bears’ difference-making DT Andrew Billings, who currently resides on injured reserve. Should Dexter be ruled out, the 49ers will likely attack the Bears’ weakened defensive interior. Dexter was seen removing himself from a goal-line scrum, grabbing at his injured right knee.

Dexter (6’6/310) was a 5-star recruit, the 3rd-ranked defensive tackle, and 12th player overall in the 2020 recruiting class, according to 247 Sports. With a 9.21 RAS, Chicago will be able to mold him into a versatile weapon. Though his mediocre bench press numbers may suggest otherwise, Dexter is perfectly capable of impacting games with his explosion and violence. In two years of playing regularly, he amassed 106 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. Dexter looks like a dancing bear at times with his agility to slip through gaps that seem to be meant for a much smaller man. However, he needs to work to anticipate both the snap and the intentions of the blocker in front of him as it often seems that he is reacting to the play rather than reading and meeting offensive players at the most efficient point.

Dexter (6'6/280) really saw his stock increase as the 2019 season progressed -- not that he was a complete unknown -- and by the time 247Sports was done with their rankings for the year, he ranked as the top player in the state of Florida and sixth overall. “For a guy who has only been playing football for a couple of years, asking him to make an impact on the line of scrimmage as a true freshman in the SEC may seem like a tall task, but that’s just how talented Dexter is,” Simmons writes. Florida is considered a sleeper to compete for a title in 2020, and if Dexter is able to help right away, it certainly won’t hurt the cause.

Dexter’s frame is huge (6'6/260) and that is certainly going to be appealing as he fills out. A frame can only do so much, but Dexter also has been productive as a high school player, and ranks sixth in 247 Sports composite rankings, and ninth among prospect in the state of Florida. The Gators have five prospects committed to the 20 class, but Dexter ranks the highest of them all. It’s a big (potential) get for Dan Mullen and his coaching staff.