The Chicago Bears turned a lot of heads in the 2023 NFL draft. It started when they willingly passed on Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter by trading the #9 pick to Philadelphia for the #10 pick and a 4th rounder. Then it reached a new level when they selected Tennessee right tackle Darnell Wright, whom many experts had going later in the 1st round. Some felt it was a reach, but others saw the same things GM Ryan Poles did. If Wright gets a few things figured out, he could end up being the best tackle in the class. Montez Sweat had heard all of that before.
The Pro Bowl defensive end had gone against plenty of rookies in his time with the Washington Commanders. Most of them didn’t measure up. As a 1st round pick, he knew Wright had talent. Still, that alone wasn’t going to stop Sweat. When the two met face-to-face last season during the Bears’ visit to FedEx Field, the defensive end came away surprised at how adept Wright was. If not for some typical rookie mistakes, he would’ve had a clean game against one of the NFL’s best defensive fronts.
Sweat explained to Chris Long on the Green Light podcast that once the experience catches up to the talent, Wright will be everything Chicago hoped for.
The best part is Sweat can now help Darnell Wright get better.
Chicago traded for the star pass rusher at the deadline last year. Now, he and Wright will go against each other every day in practice. The tackle will learn every trick one of the best in the league has at his disposal. Once Wright learns what to look for on each snap, it won’t matter what other edge rushers try. He’s too big, strong, and nimble to overcome with sheer natural ability. This means you better get your wins in now because it won’t be long before the former 1st rounder shuts people down every week.
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If Braxton Jones takes another step forward, the Bears’ offensive line could be set for the foreseeable future. Keep in mind that Sweat went against some of the best blockers in the business, like Tyron Smith and Lane Johnson. It is noteworthy that he already has such a high opinion of Darnell Wright. Sure, he’s a bit biased now that they’re teammates, but the sentiment was already there before they joined forces. This should be an exciting year for the young tackle.
@Dr. Sallie: Like the list. I doubt Alt falls to #9, but if he does, I’d be all over that pick. I also doubt Nabers makes it there. The other issue with Nabers is that he’s the same kind of WR as Moore, with a little bit more speed and a lot less experience. Odunze, on the other hand, is a different sort of WR, taller, and has a great contested catch rate (CCR), over 60%, whereas most college WRs are in the 30s. That said, his CCR will drop in the pros where DBs are much better at disrupting… Read more »
@Rocketrider: @TGena has said in the past that he thinks the Wright pick was a good pick. He has also said that PFF in some categories rates Wright, Brax, and Borom as about the same, which to me is not at all accurate.
Just wait ….tinagena will be here soon to tell us how Wright was a bad pick because he was projected to go a few spots later. Then he will start mentioning 4th 5th and 6th rounders that have not become pro bowlers.
I like it @Dr. Steven Sallie. However my trade-down targets would be different, and it depends on where they trade too. But I don’t think they get a Center at all in the first. I think (4) Verse (5) Bowers (6) Latu are more doable and would have more impact in the mid-teens – early 20s.
Mr. Poles, I know you are out there somewhere. If able/willing for your consideration at #9: (1) Alt (2) Nabors (3) Odunze; after a trade-down: (4) Fashanu (5) Bowers (6) P-Johnson.