Former NFL front office exec makes massive statement about Vols OL Darnell Wright and the NFL draft
Former Tennessee Vols offensive lineman Darnell Wright has seen his draft stock jump significantly this offseason. Wright has gone from being projected as a potential late first-round pick/early second-round pick to a player who could go in the top 15. One NFL analyst even thinks Wright could be the best player in the entire draft. […]
Former Tennessee Vols offensive lineman Darnell Wright has seen his draft stock jump significantly this offseason.
Wright has gone from being projected as a potential late first-round pick/early second-round pick to a player who could go in the top 15.
One NFL analyst even thinks Wright could be the best player in the entire draft.
Yes, you read that last sentence correctly.
ESPN's Louis Riddick tweeted on Wednesday evening that he thinks Wright will be a Pro Bowl/All-Pro in the NFL. Riddick also said that Wright is in consideration to be his top overall player in the draft.
Hearing this from Riddick is a little different than hearing it from a random NFL draft analyst.
That's because Riddick worked in several NFL front offices before becoming an analyst for ESPN.
The former NFL safety worked as a scout and director of pro personnel for Washington and the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFL front office career that spanned 13 seasons (2001 to 2013). Riddick knows what NFL teams are looking for and he knows what kind of players can have success in the NFL. It's a great sign for Wright's draft status that Riddick is talking him up just a month before the 2023 NFL Draft kicks off in Kansas City.
I've seen Wright go as high as No. 14 overall to the New England Patriots in various mock drafts. It wouldn't be a surprise if he goes higher than that in next month's draft.
Sometimes when a talented player isn't generating a ton of hype during the early part of the draft process, it's because teams are hoping the player will fall to them. It sounds like that might've been the case with Wright, but the secret is officially out. The former Vol won't be falling to the late first round. Someone is going to scoop him up early and they're going to be happy they did.
