The draft community didn’t hate Darnell Wright. That must be made clear. Everybody felt he was a 1st round prospect. The issue is most of them didn’t have the Tennessee right tackle going in the top 10. Most saw the mid-teens at most. So when the Chicago Bears took him 10th overall, it was considered a reach by GM Ryan Poles. Other, more accomplished options were on the table, like Broderick Jones of Georgia and Peter Skoronski of Northwestern. Poles didn’t blink, stating the Bears had eyes for Wright going back months.
He wasn’t the only notable fan. Former Philadelphia Eagles personnel director and current ESPN analyst Louis Riddick made his affection for Wright obvious going into the draft.
“I believe that this young man when it’s all set and done has the ability to be the best player in this draft. He is big, mean, and nasty.”
The 1st round pick finally got his first chance to see game action for the Bears on Saturday afternoon at Soldier Field. He didn’t disappoint. Wright didn’t allow a single pressure in every pass block set and showcased both his athleticism and power in the run game. While it didn’t last long, the debut was impressive. Riddick made sure everybody heard about it on Twitter.
Darnell Wright carries heavy expectations.
It’s been many years since the Bears have had a truly dominant offensive tackle on their team. Probably not since Jimbo Covert retired in the early 1990s. Since then, they’ve had some rough luck at the position. Each of their last three 1st round picks suffered injury setbacks. Marc Colombo (2002) dislocated his patella as a rookie. It took years to overcome that disaster, and he was gone from Chicago by then. Chris Williams (2008) had a herniated disc in his back before playing a down. Then it was hamstring injuries after that. Last was Gabe Carimi (2011), who dislocated his kneecap in his second game. Unlike Colombo, he never fully recovered.
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That is the situation facing Darnell Wright. He must not only prove he can stay healthy but also prove he’s worthy of being the first top 10 offensive tackle selected since Covert, a Hall of Famer. Riddick is already convinced he will end up that way. One thing is clear. If he’s correct, the moves Poles pulled off to make it happen will go down in Bears history. Securing a star receiver like D.J. Moore in that #1 pick trade was already good. If he landed a Pro Bowl tackle on top of it? That is next-level stuff.
Jones was far from accomplished. Wasn’t it first year as a starter at left tackle? We needed a right tackle. Skoronski is a guard.
How often has a Right Tackle been acknowledged to be the “best player in th(e) draft?”
Louis Riddick likes to make headlines.
No one (who knows football) “hates” Darnell Wright.
There’s little doubt that he has the ability to play Left Tackle (the “big money” spot — but he looks to have found a nice home in Chicago at RT.
ell Wright. He must not only prove he can stay healthy but also prove he’s worthy of being the first top 10 offensive tackle selected since Covert, a Hall of Famer. Riddick is already convinced he will end up that way. One thing is clear. If he’s correct, the moves Poles pulled off to make it happe