Darnell Wright, OT Tennessee: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Wright was a five-star recruit from Huntington High School in Huntington, W.Va. in the class of 2019

Tennessee right tackle Darnell Wright is starting to get buzz as a potential first round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The All-SEC senior broke out in his final year with the Volunteers and secured a spot in the top two rounds.

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Darnell Wright, OT Tennessee: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Senior right tackle from Huntington, W.Va.

Background: Wright was a five-star recruit from Huntington High School in Huntington, W.Va. in the class of 2019. He was the No. 10 recruit according to 247Sports, No. 16 for Rivals, and No. 6 for On3.com. ESPN ranked him 5th in the nation with a 91 grade out of 100. Wright committed to Tennessee over offers from Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, George, Kentucky, LSU, Miami, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, West Virginia, and other Power Five programs. He earned three Class AAA All-State selections from the West Virginia Sports Writers Association, including two First-Team selections. He was a First-Team American Family Insurance All-USA selection in 2019 and a 2018 First-Team USA Today All-USA West Virginia Team member. Wright played in the 2019 Under Armour All-America Game. He was born on Aug. 10, 2001.

Injuries & Off-Field: N/A

Awards: 2019 Freshman All-SEC Team, 2022 First-Team All-SEC

Pros: Cut down on penalties in 2022, starting experience at right and left tackle, strong core to maintain balance and exert force, large, thick, and hulking frame with required arm length, grown man strength to put defenders in the dirt, upper body strength to toss and finish defenders, clamp strength, deploys snatch and trap technique, anchor easily absorbed Will Anderson’s rushes (2022), elite anchoring force in pass pro, sufficient speed in his kick slide, active feet with a wide base, good foot speed early in pass pro reps at his size, easily able to wall off or seal defenders in the run game, caves in the defensive line

Cons: Ten penalties in 2021, limited to no exposure at guard, might need to drop weight, change of direction skills, will lose the natural leverage battle, sits high in his stance with limited knee bend, chest sometimes extends over feet, defaults to leaning on defenders at times, agility concerns sometimes force him to open his hips against outside rushes, late activating his hands which invites defenders into his frame, carries hands too low at times, room for hands to be more active and independent, doesn’t consistently identify twists and stunts, footwork can be uneven and disrupt his base, would like to see more displacement in the run game, heavy-footed mover in the open space, struggles to mirror second level defenders while climbing, ducks head into contact occasionally

Overview: Wright took official measurements at the NFL Combine. He’s 6051 and weighs 333 lbs. He has nine-inch hands and 33 6/8-inch arms. Wright had an 82 3/8-inch wingspan at the Senior Bowl. He cut down on his penalties committed in 2022, dropping from ten (in 2021) to three. Wright has starting experience at right and left tackle but projects as a right tackle-only prospect at the next level. He has a strong core to maintain balance and exert force. Wright’s large, thick, and hulking frame gives him an imposing presence. His play strength allows him to toss and finish defenders to the ground. The former five-star recruit has impressive clamp strength and uses the snatch and trap technique. He has an elite anchor to eat bull rushes. Will Anderson Jr. didn’t threaten him much throughout Tennessee’s game against Alabama (2022). He displays sufficient speed in his kick slide and active feet with a wide base. Wright plays with good foot speed early in pass pro reps for a player his size. He’s easily able to wall off or seal defenders in the run game and possesses the strength to cave in the defensive line. Wright suffers from several physical limitations that might be alleviated if he dropped weight. His change of direction skills, mobility in space, and ability to mirror second level defenders are below average. He can’t operate in an outside zone scheme. Wright sits high in his stance with limited knee bend and usually loses the leverage battle. His chest extends over his feet, and he ends up leaning on the defensive player. Agility limitations sometimes force Wright to open his hips against outside rushers. He is late activating his hands, which invites defenders into his frame. The West Virginia native frequently carries his hands too low and would benefit from more active, independent hand usage. He doesn’t consistently identify twists and stunts. Wright’s footwork can be uneven and disrupt his base. Despite his size, the All-SEC tackle generates inconsistent displacement in the run game. He is a heavy-footed mover who occasionally ducks his head into contact. Some of Wright’s physical limitations make him seem like an excellent candidate to play guard, but he has no experience at the position outside of two games in 2019.

Overall, Wright is a well-built, powerful right tackle with enough functional athleticism to survive on an island and the play strength to compete with NFL power immediately. However, he’s a limited athlete with inconsistent hand usage and questionable leverage. Wright could kick inside to guard if he struggles at tackle.

Role & Scheme Fit: Right tackle in an inside zone-heavy scheme

Round Projection: Mid Second to Late Second

Player Comparison: N/A

Submitted: 03-13-23