Former Vols OT Darnell Wright continues to receive disrespect from ESPN
Tennessee Vols offensive lineman Darnell Wright, for some reason, can't get any respect from ESPN. The former Tennessee right tackle has seen his draft stock rise in recent months, thanks to a standout performance at the Senior Bowl and a great showing at the draft combine. Wright's strong work during the pre-draft process has led […]
Tennessee Vols offensive lineman Darnell Wright, for some reason, can't get any respect from ESPN.
The former Tennessee right tackle has seen his draft stock rise in recent months, thanks to a standout performance at the Senior Bowl and a great showing at the draft combine.
Wright's strong work during the pre-draft process has led to a delayed appreciation for his fantastic 2022 season (in which he allowed zero sacks) from national analysts/commentators.
Wright has been going in the top 20 in many recent mock drafts. Some mock drafts, in fact, have Wright going No. 14 overall to the New England Patriots.
Despite the recent draft love for Wright, ESPN still doesn't view the former Vols star as a top draft pack.
ESPN's Matt Miller broke down his top 20 draft prospects this past week and he included three offensive tackles among his top 20.
Wright was not one of those offensive tackles.
(Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson, a player that Wright completely shut down in 2022, is among Miller's top 20.)
If Wright somehow falls out of the top 20, he'll be a massive steal for a team. Wright has the talent to be a starting right tackle for the next decade for an NFL franchise.
And I'm far from the only one who thinks. Former NFL scout and front office member Louis Riddick, who also played in the NFL, is one of the few ESPN employees that has an appreciation for Wright — perhaps because he actually played the game at a high level.
Despite what Miller thinks, Wright is going to be one of the best players selected in this draft. And one lucky quarterback's life will get a lot easier with Wright blocking defenders on the right side of the offensive line.
