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NFL analyst: Darnell Wright 'will be a Pro Bowler in his first year, mark my words'

IMG_3593by:Grant Ramey•05/01/23•

GrantRamey

Darnell Wright
Darnell Wright (Chicago Bears)

The Chicago Bears addressed an immediate and pressing need when they drafted Tennessee right tackle Darnell Wright with the 10th overall pick in the NFL Draft Thursday night in Kansas City. Former Bears defensive end Corey Woottnon believes his old team did so much more, though.

Wootton, now an NFL analyst in Chicago, predicted on the CHGO Bears Podcast that Wright will go to the Pro Bowl as a rookie with the Bears.

“The more and more tape I’ve watched of him, like you said, as the season went on, he was unbelievable,” Wootton said. “Just his sets, nobody beat him off the edge, nobody could power him, nobody could bull (rush) him. His run blocking was unbelievable. 

“This is a guy that I think will be a Pro Bowler in his first year, mark my words. I really, really feel that great about him. He is that talented.”

Bears traded back twice before landing Darnell Wright at No. 10 overall

The comparison Wootton had for Wright just happened to be Trent Williams, the San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle who is a ten-time Pro Bowler, a two-time First Team All Pro and a former No. 4 overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.

“He reminds me a lot of Trent Williams, the athleticism is unreal,” Wotton said. “And you think about when he’s in a pro-style scheme, especially what Luke Getsy is running. He is really going to flourish. Justin Fields loved this pick. 

“Like I said, (Bears general manager Ryan) Poles is saying it like this: ‘I have to have the offensive line solidified. I’m this offensive line guru. I have to know everything I have from Justin Fields.’ And that’s what he did there. That’s why I wasn’t surprised with the offensive line pick.”

The Bears had the No. 1 overall pick at the end of the NFL’s regular season, but traded it away to the Carolina Panthers. Chicago on Thursday night moved back one spot, from No. 9 to No. 10, in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Eagles picked Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter and the Bears took Wright, adding a 2024 fourth-round pick in the trade.

Darnell Wright ‘has the ability to be the best player in this draft’

“Wright steps into a situation where he’s the immediate starter at right tackle,” ESPN’s Jordan Reid wrote in his post-draft analysis. “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.”

Wright anchored Tennessee’s offensive line during his breakout junior season and was named a First Team All-SEC pick by the Associated Press, USA Today and SEC Coaches. He was a semifinalist for the Lombardi Award and was twice named the SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week.

ESPN’s Louis Riddick was all in on Wright to the Bears in the moments after the pick was announced Thursday night.

“I believe that this young man, when it’s all said and done, has the ability to be the best player in this draft,” Riddick said.

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