Steelers make questionable selection in Sports Illustrated's latest mock
The Pittsburgh Steelers hold the 17th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and similar to most years, while we have an idea of which direction Pittsburgh may be leaning, their posturing is as high as ever. And for good reason, as the team has multiple needs and is situated in the middle of a […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers hold the 17th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and similar to most years, while we have an idea of which direction Pittsburgh may be leaning, their posturing is as high as ever.
And for good reason, as the team has multiple needs and is situated in the middle of a draft class that is experiencing Wall Street levels of volatility.
So while Kevin Hanson of Sports Illustrated addresses a major need in his latest mock draft, the name he chooses may come as a surprise.
Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
Wright is a heavy-handed right tackle that can anchor against power and set versus speed. He wasn't nearly as productive at left tackle, but once he made the switch to the right side, he settled in nicely, becoming a bookend for the Vol's offense.
Here is Hanson's blurb on Wright's fit in Pittsburgh:
Wright is coming off his best season, which he has followed up with impressive performances at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine, said Hanson. The former five-star recruit is a massive and powerful right tackle prospect who offers some positional versatility. Over the past four seasons, Wright has made a total of 42 starts—27 at right tackle, 13 at left tackle and two at right guard.
Wright opened the door on his first-round prospects after the Alabama game.
A victory that put the Vols on the map, his play against potential top-five pick Will Anderson was the single best performance a tackle has had against the talented pass rusher since he was at Alabama.
This is in part to Wright's naturally huge frame, yet subtle feet.
At an official 6'5 and over 330 pounds, you might expect Wright to be a slow mover, but au contraire.
Wright ran a 5.01 40-yard dash, jumped nearly 30 inches in the vert, and recorded the third-best athleticism score at the NFL Combine.
My only issue with this pick is that while the upside of Wright certainly outweighs that of current right tackle "Chuks" Okorafor, the Steelers just extended Okorafor, and betting on coaching Wright to be a dominant left tackle is a risky proposition.
Players that struggle in college when deployed in a specific spot rarely do better in the NFL.
I think Wright could immediately be a starting guard in the league, but at 17, the positional value of a guard is not enough to warrant that selection.
Wright may be a terrific NFL player, but unless he's somehow assured the Steelers' staff of his ability to anchor Kenny Pickett's blind spot, I think Pittsburgh will pass on him.
