The Chicago Bears 2023 draft class was a hit in the eyes of many. General Manager Ryan Poles has shown his ability to draft at an extremely high level. With his “first” first-round pick as the GM of the Bears, many fans wanted defensive tackle Jalen Carter from Georgia, and he was right there for the taking. However, Poles stayed true to his draft board and decided to move one spot down and draft Darnell Wright out of Tennessee. Was this a mistake by Poles, or does it look like he made the right selection?
Offensive Tackle Darnell Wright
Daunting Tasks As A Rookie
Being a rookie offensive tackle is hard, but it was a more daunting task for Wright. Some formidable pass rushers Wright had to block in his rookie season were Rashan Gary, Danielle Hunter, Maxx Crosby, Aidan Hutchinson, Khalil Mack, Myles Garrett, and even future teammate Montez Sweat. While Wright’s performance hasn’t been flawless, he has held his own. According to PFF, Wright received a 62.4 player grade, with a 66.0 grade in run blocking and a 61.3 in pass blocking—numbers that align with the expectations for a rookie offensive tackle. It didn’t help that Justin Fields likes to hold onto the ball longer than the average quarterback, which could hurt Wright’s statistics as a blocker. Despite the tough matchups Wright faced in his rookie season, it will only benefit him moving forward.
Every pass block #Bears rookie Darnell Wright had against the Packers yesterday. pic.twitter.com/jO3c7zjcXD
— ImBearingDown (@ImBearingDown) January 8, 2024
Bringing Stability That The Offensive Line Desperately Needs
The Bears had and continue to have a significant problem on the offensive line; there’s no stability. Guys are constantly getting hurt and, therefore, aren’t able to start the entire season. Luckily, for the first time in what seems like forever, Wright has brought stability to the Bears offensive line. Remarkably, he emerged as the sole starting offensive lineman for the Bears to participate in every game this season, being on the field for an impressive 99.6% of the offensive snaps.
The priority for Wright this season was never about going to the Pro Bowl or being named to the first-team all-rookie team; it was about whether he could be a reliable player for the Bears. He was precisely that. To put into context the significance of finding a reliable offensive lineman, the last three first-round offensive tackles drafted by the Bears started fewer games in their rookie seasons than Wright’s rookie season. Yeah, it wasn’t good.
Darnell Wright Rookie Season Grade: A
It’s hard to find real issues with Wright. His season stats were 1,127 total snaps, with 11 penalties and allowing seven sacks. The penalties, given it’s Wright’s rookie year, don’t raise significant concerns, and there’s room for improvement regarding allowing sacks. Notably, Wright’s ability to hold his ground against seasoned veteran edge rushers while starting all 17 games for the Bears is commendable. It looks like Poles’ first draft choice in the first round was a hit. Wright is poised for improvement, focusing on refining technique and discipline rather than relying solely on physical dominance. He’s the franchise tackle the Bears were waiting for.
Main Photo: [Jeff Hanish] – USA Today Sports
