What the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft said about new Bears OT Darnell Wright
The Chicago Bears traded down in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft (they went from No. 9 to No. 10) and still landed a player that former NFL front office member Louis Riddick said might be the best player in the draft. Chicago's selection of Tennessee Vols offensive lineman Darnell Wright at No. […]
The Chicago Bears traded down in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft (they went from No. 9 to No. 10) and still landed a player that former NFL front office member Louis Riddick said might be the best player in the draft.
Chicago's selection of Tennessee Vols offensive lineman Darnell Wright at No. 10 overall gives the Bears a likely day-one starter that should have a lengthy NFL career.
Wright played left tackle and right tackle at Tennessee, but he was better at right tackle.
This past season, Wright started every game at right tackle for the Vols (including in the Orange Bowl against Clemson, a game he decided to play when many potential first-round picks opt out of bowl games).
Wright allowed zero sacks in 2022 despite playing a tough SEC schedule that featured matchups against Alabama's Will Anderson and LSU's BJ Ojulari. The former Tennessee standout also helped shut down Clemson's Bryan Bresee (a first-round pick on Thursday night) in the Orange Bowl.
Anderson, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, was asked during the predraft process who the best offensive tackle was that he played against in college.
The former Alabama standout told reporters that Wright was the best offensive tackle he faced in college. Anderson, who played against Wright three times in college, noted that the former Vol got better year to year and he pointed out Wright's ability to "mirror" pass rushers as a big positive.
The Houston Texans are hoping that Anderson is an annual Pro Bowler who has a Hall of Fame career. Wright, meanwhile, has already proven he can shut him down. That's exactly the type of player the Bears want protecting Justin Fields for the next 10-plus years.
