Darnell Wright’s Draft Stock Soars After Handling Will Anderson

Tennessee’s Darnell Wright got that NFL money after the performance he turned in against Alabama’s Will Anderson.

The Volunteers offensive right tackle (RT) handled Anderson, who is projected to be a top-five pick in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft.

That wasn’t his only good game. Wright consistently showed he has what it takes to be a plug-and-play prospect at the next level.

For a team sitting near the bottom of the first round, like the Bengals, Wright makes all the sense in the world.

Turn on the game film embedded into Wright’s evaluation below against Anderson and pop some popcorn while enjoying watching Anderson get it handed to him.

Anderson tried to bull rush. He tried going inside. Anderson tested the backdoor. He pulled out the spin move. Anderson did everything he could, but he couldn’t get to Tennessee’s quarterback.

Level of competition

This is a part of the evaluation process. It’s a small piece to a much larger puzzle, and it must be considered.

I still remember the big deal they made of it when current Chargers’ and former Northwestern left tackle, Rashawn Slater handed it to current Commanders’ and former Ohio State edge rusher Chase Young.

Wright was good to begin with, but watching him put on a clinic against Anderson did it for me.

Wright is not the sexiest pick

However, ask a pro quarterback how important having a good RT is.

NFL defenses love to flip-flop their elite edge rushers from side to side, testing each side of an offense’s blocking to see how they can best disrupt the pocket.

Wright did have some “one-offs” when he gave up a couple of pressures, or didn’t pick up a stunt or delayed blitz off the edge in time, but by in large, Wright held his own.

While this will not be the “Glamour Shots” pick, plugging in Wright at RT will cause some fanbase to have a subtle smile on their faces when their quarterback drops back to pass.

Oh those feet

It’s the thing that separates offensive tackles in the NFL – – how they move their feet.

Handwork is important too, but offensive tackles who have a quick first step and show they have good lateral foot speed while maintaining a nice wide (and hard-to-penetrate) base are at a premium.

It’s Wright’s lateral footwork that most of all puts him into the first-round discussion.

Versatility helps

In 2021, Wright started all 13 games for the Volunteers at left tackle and saw the highest snap count (922) on the team (utsports.com).

While Wright looks like an NFL RT on game film, having a player who can slide over to the left side in a pinch is a trait teams covet.

It’s a long season in the NFL, and injuries happen.

Having someone like Wright who has shown versatility only increases his draft value.

Flashes aggressive streak

Every now and again, it comes out of him.

Wright gets aggressive.

He pushes and shoves a defender into the ground with his impressive playing strength.

I love that about him.

#58 Darnell Wright 6-foot-6, 335 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Grade: First-Round – Winter 2022 Report

First Round Mock Big Board: TBD

Projected by 9.9% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of December 4, 2022 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2022 game film reviewed: LSU, Pitt, and Alabama (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

Level of competition: High

Note: Wright did not allow a sack this season (Pro Football Focus)

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report:

Athletic, thick, competitive, and physically powerful blocker with coordinated lateral foot speed. Long arms and thick upper. Showed a quick kick step in pass pro setting up in the shallow depth of the pocket. Uses hands well. Continues sliding out quickly while maintaining a nice wide base. Tough to get around and impossible to go through. Has a slight tendency to overextend towards the back door and leave the inside vulnerable to pressure. Did a solid job against stunts and blitzes. Sees pass rushes through. Positional and leverage finesse blocker on runs who mostly stays off the ground. Can pull, get to second-level and downfield, and looks good doing it. The biggest negative is he tends to sustain just long enough or sometimes not long enough. Best Right tackle in this draft class so far.

Bottom line:

It all starts up front on the offensive line and it is for that reason Wright’s name should be on a first-round draft card.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated New York Jets and he is the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.