Darnell Wright 10th Overall Was on the Chicago Bears Radar for Years

Darnell Wright, an offensive tackle from the University of Tennessee Volunteers’, was drafted by the Chicago Bears 10th overall. They drafted him in the first-round pick in the NFL 2023 draft. The Bears were well aware of Wright long before Ryan Poles became the Bears’ general manager.

Normally, organizations are made aware of future draft prospects a couple of years before the NFL draft. But Bears’ scout Sam Summerville was buzzing about Wright in 2019 when Wright joined Tennessee.

Summerville said:

I have been following Wright for years, starting when he was a five-star recruit coming out of Huntington, W.Va.

When Did The Bears Get Serious About Wright?

Around the beginning of 2022, the Bears had placed Wright on a short list of players to keep an eye on. As they watched his play during that year, Summerville saw that he would shut down every top SEC pass rusher they played. This was their guy, and the dye was set for draft day.

The last time the Bears selected an offensive tackle in the top 10 was in 1983 when they drafted Jimbo Covert. Some think that Wright has very poor athleticism, but the Bears feel he is a great athlete for his size. Combined with his power and the violent way he defends against defensive ends, they believe he has the makings to be a long-term starter.

What are some of Wright’s accomplishments?

Darnell Wright, In 2021, switched from left tackle to right tackle and was named SEC’s best offensive tackle in 2022. In his last 19 games, he did not allow a sack and fearlessly warded off-edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. taken third overall by the Houston Texans.

In the 2023 Senor Bowl, Wright was voted team OL player of the week by his teammates

Who Other Than Wright Did the Bears Have Their Eyes On?

Gaby Houy is an offensive right tackle for the Pittsburgh Panthers, and he has been giving ACC pass rushers hell for the past two seasons at Pitt. Houy played a large role in making sure Kenny Pickett (QB) was taken in the first round of the NFL 2022 draft.

Due to injuries, Houy did not participate in the 2023 draft. But the Bears seeing his potential offered him an undrafted free-agent contract. Houy stands 6’6″, 325 lbs, and moves very well for his size. He is versatile, having played both guard and tackle for Pitt.

The Bears’ signing of Houy adds depth to the offensive line. Darnell Wright will definitely be the starting right tackle leaving Houy as a five-star backup. OL coach Chris Morgan welcomes Houy and looks forward to him competing against Alex Leatherwood, Bobby Haskins, Larry Borom, and Kellen Diesch for a roster spot.

Bears OL Coach Chris Morgan Goes to Tennessee to Workout Wright

Bears offensive line coach Chris Morgan travels to Tennessee on April 8, 2023, to give Wright a workout. Darnell Wright said draft night from his draft party,

He kicked my ass; if we’re being honest, Pre-draft workouts are different than practices. There aren’t teammates standing in line behind you, waiting to jump into drills while you catch your breath. You definitely see what you’re made of a little bit in that little session.

Tennessee coach Josh Heupel was not present during Wright’s workout but heard that it was one of the broadest and most demanding one-on-one workouts he had ever heard of in his coaching career.

NFL Draft Night

Draft night, Morgan spoke to Darnell Wright on the phone and shared with him that it was difficult not telling him before the draft that the Bears were going to draft him with their first pick. This pick was also a surprise to everyone. Analysts were predicting that the Bears would select Ohio State’s Paris Johnson Jr. or Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski with their first pick.

Justine Fields tweeted his endorsement of the pick, tweeting

Yessirrr.

Bears fans can hold on to the fact that Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr said of Wright that he was the toughest blocker he has ever faced. And Anderson was taken third overall in the 2023 draft.

The Bears have added two awesome defenders for Justin Fields. This season has the making of a divisional championship year.

Written by Omari Jahi

Source

SportsMockery: Turns Out The Darnell Wright To Bears Seed Was Planted Years Ago by ERIK LAMBERT

SportsMockery: Chicago Bears May Have Nabbed A Future Starting OT For Pennies by ERIK LAMBERT

ABC: Darnell Wright becomes highest Tennessee draft pick since Eric Berry by Sam Rothman, Gregory Raucoules

Chicago Suntimes: Before the draft, Darnell Wright proved to Bears he ‘wouldn’t quit’ by Patrick Finley

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