Assertive Offensive Lineman Believes He's the Bears' Choice with a Convincing Argument
Darnell Wright's stunning rise prior to the NFL draft began well before his impressive performance at the NFL Scouting Combine, where he recorded the second-best athleticism score among tackles at 6-foot-5 and 333 pounds. Wright's journey is a testament to his personal growth, maturity, acquired experience, and unwavering dedication to achieving his best self.
In an exclusive interview with NBC Sports Chicago, Wright explained that he focused on constant self-assessment and refining his craft, understanding why he lost a rep and how to improve for the next one. This approach led to an outstanding senior season at Tennessee, where he allowed only eight total pressures and zero sacks. According to Pro Football Focus, his 1.7% pressure rate ranked third among all Division 1 tackles.
In a conversation with Josh Schrock of NBC Sports Chicago, Wright validated his confidence in becoming a Bear. He believes his final interview at Halas Hall went smoothly and cites a particular reason for his optimism. Wright highlighted his immediate rapport with offensive line coach Chris Morgan as the key factor.
"He said I want players that come in and have talent and don't just get by," Wright said. "He kind of explained, you know, 'You've done good up to this point, but you've got so much more in you.' My pet peeve is like when I feel like I can do something and I'll establish that foundation with the team � you know you have to establish that trust before you can do anything extra � I told him how after I establish that I want to try some things and see what works best for me.
"He was like, 'I'm going to make sure you got the foundation first.' We got some things to work out and if that's the only thing to work out, I think we'll have a good relationship. He's a good coach."
Wright's exceptional season propelled him from a projected Round 3-4 pick to a potential top-10 selection. His standout performances against LSU and national champion Georgia demonstrated his intellectual growth as a tackle and hinted at his potential in the NFL.
For Wright, film study was crucial in unlocking his success. The 21-year-old meticulously analyzed tapes to understand the tendencies of his opponents and the schemes he'd face. This exhaustive process involved multiple viewings, during which he first gained a feel for the matchup and then dissected his primary competitor for the week. Wright believes this thorough preparation gives him a distinct advantage on the field.
| POLL | ||
24 AVRIL | 145 ANSWERS Assertive Offensive Lineman Believes He's the Bears' Choice with a Convincing Argument Do you think Ryan Poles will draft an offensive lineman with his first pick? | ||
| Yes | 111 | 76.6 % |
| No | 34 | 23.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
