2023 NFL Draft Profile: Offensive Lineman Darnell Wright

Our series featuring the top prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft continues as we look at former Tennessee offensive lineman Darnell Wright.

The 2023 NFL Draft is almost upon us. In just over a week, the fortunes of hundreds of former college players and the teams that select them will change. Some teams are looking to continue their winning ways while others look to start winning.

As a preview of the upcoming draft, we here at Full Press Coverage are profiling some of the top prospects available. You can see the other profiles by clicking here.

The next prospect up is former Tennessee Volunteer offensive lineman Darnell Wright. He has not gotten some of the attention that others like Broderick Jones, Peter Skoronski, and Paris Johnson Jr have, but he could end up a steal in this class. He went up against some of the best defensive linemen in the nation and did excellent work. Let’s dive in.

Strengths

Wright has experienced success wherever he’s gone. He was a top-ten recruit coming out of high school in 2019 and now is one of the top linemen in his class.

Wright was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2019. He has plenty of experience on both sides of the line. He had 14 starts at right tackle in his first three seasons before he played left tackle full-time in his final season. He even started a couple of games at right guard as well.

Wright is a big-bodied lineman, coming in at 6-foot-5, 333 pounds. He carries that weight well. It is difficult for a pass rusher to get around him. With his size and power, he also has a mean streak in him. Players going up against him are in for a long game. Some pass rushers tried to bullrush him but it was a bad idea. He has the strength to maintain his balance.

That was evident when he went up against Will Anderson Jr. Anderson is projected to be the first non-quarterback to go in the NFL Draft. He had some long games going up against Wright. He tried the bull rush and he tried to finesse him yet nothing worked. Anderson stated that Wright was the most difficult lineman he went up against.

Wright has the ability to stay square to the defender. Additionally, when he goes to the second level he obliterates linebackers. He also has heavy hands and places them well. He can jar the defender coming off the snap.

Areas of improvement

Some teams are concerned with Wright’s tightness in his lower half. That tightness might prevent him from moving around quickly against more fluid, athletic pass rushers.

Additionally, Wright has some limitations in the run game. He doesn’t have a lot of range. While his initial punch is good, he is a little slow when he has to reset.

Projection

Wright has been a fast riser in the NFL Draft. Back before the 2022 season began, he projected as a third round grade. They felt that he was not consistent enough. He took note of what scouts said about him and worked hard to improve. Now he is a solid first-round prospect. His experience on both sides of the line makes him a fit for any team. He could be a surprise top-ten pick when the NFL Draft begins.

Wright is the type of hard-working, hard-playing lineman. He will continue that hard work and be an anchor for years to come.