2023 NFL Draft: Grading the Bears’ selection of Darnell Wright in 1st round

The Chicago Bears accomplished one of their biggest goals for the 2023 NFL Draft by selecting offensive tackle Darnell Wright in the first round.

Wright, the former Tennessee Volunteer standout, will slide in as the starting right tackle on an offensive line that’s undergone a facelift this offseason.

Wright gained momentum as a top-10 pick throughout the 2023 draft process. His 2022 film showcased what once made him a five-star recruit and proved he’s a more natural right tackle in the pros. He started 27 games on the right side in the SEC, he’ll bring high-level experience to the Chicago Bears’ starting lineup.

Chicago Bears passed on DL Jalen Carter in 1st round

The Chicago Bears traded from No. 9 down to No. 10 with the Philadelphia Eagles, who moved up for Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter, who was long pegged as a natural fit for the Bears. But off-field concerns trumped his on-field dominance in Chicago’s war room.

Another player on the board when the Chicago Bears selected Darnell Wright was Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski. A large contingent of Bears fans had Skoronski atop their wish list, but his lack of ideal offensive tackle measurables doomed his chances to come to Chicago.

Darnell Wright was the “right” pick. With Paris Johnson off the board (he went seventh to the Arizona Cardinals), Wright was the best pure right tackle remaining. The Bears weren’t going to move Braxton Jones from left tackle to the right side after a successful rookie campaign, Wright makes sense.

The Chicago Bears enter the 2023 season with an upgraded offensive line that features Braxton Jones, Teven Jenkins, Cody Whitehair, Nate Davis, and Darnell Wright as the starting five. It’s safe to say Justin Fields is the happiest guy in the city.

As for a grade? I give the Darnell Wright pick a solid A-. Why not an A? The perfect score was reserved for Paris Johnson. But, hey, an A- is pretty darn good.