Analysis and grades after the Chicago Bears picked Darnell Wright at No. 10 overall in NFL Draft
Darnell Wright on Thursday night became Tennessee football’s first first-round pick in the NFL Draft since 2017, when the Philadelphia Eagles picked Derek Barnett at No. 14, and the highest drafted offensive lineman for the Vols since Ja’Wuan James went No. 19 overall the the Miami Dolphins in 2014. Here’s how the Bears picking Wright was graded and analyzed by NFL media:
Darnell Wright — First Round | No. 10 overall | Chicago Bears
ESPN’s Jordan Reid: “Wright steps into a situation where he’s the immediate starter at right tackle. With a huge need opposite Braxton Jones, his balance, strength and aggression as a run blocker make him a candidate to quickly become a key component in the Bears’ offensive front. Wright had zero blown blocks on 388 designed run plays last season, which was the second-best mark among FBS blockers.”
NFL Network — Pick Grade: A | Chad Reuter: “General manager Ryan Poles made the best of a disappointing 2022 campaign, trading out of the top overall pick in exchange for three premium selections (a 2023 second-round pick, 2024 first and 2025 second). They moved back again, swapping spots with the Eagles at No. 10 while adding a 2024 fourth-round selection, to take Wright, who worked himself into a top-10 pick after moving from left to right tackle last fall. His ability to move defenders off the snap and find targets in space will be used immediately by the Bears.”
Pro Football Focus — Pick Grade: Average | “Wright fills a need for the Bears, but he is just the 22nd-ranked player on the PFF draft board. He produced a PFF grade of just 71.4 in 2022 but has some really good reps on tape where he just overpowers people. He allowed just eight total pressures in 2022.”
CBS NFL — Pick Grade: B+ | Pete Prisco: “He’s a violent player who fills a major need at right tackle. They have to protect better in front of Justin Fields and he will help that. Wright shut down Will Anderson, which was impressive to watch.”
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Sporting News — Pick Grade: B- | Vinnie Iyer: “The Bears fill their massive need for a pass-protecting left tackle for Justin Fields, but it’s not Johnson, Peter Skoronski or even Broderick Jones. Wright compares favorably as a blocker to new Bengal and former Chief Orlando Brown Jr. He rose up boards late by showing teams more athleticism in his powerful frame, but should have gone later in the round vs. the other available tackles.”
Sports Illustrated — Pick Grade: B- | Gilberto Manzano: “After trading down one spot, the Bears upgraded their protection for Justin Fields, which was desperately needed after the quarterback was sacked 55 times last season. Wright might be the best prospect when it comes to playing right tackle, but he struggled playing left tackle in college. The Bears will need to figure out which side to play Wright, but it doesn’t matter as long as Fields gets better protection this season.”
Yahoo Sports — Pick Grade: A+ | Charles McDonald: “Wright was the third-ranked player on our big board this year so it’s impossible to have a bad grade on this selection. Wright is a stalwart tackle who will give the Bears an offensive line much better than where they were this time last year.”
