The Chicago Bears’ options at offensive tackle in the first round in the 2023 NFL Draft extend beyond the ninth pick. General manager Ryan Poles has stated his willingness to trade down, and the talent at right tackle in the middle-to-later portion of Round 1 could help facilitate a move.
The top-10 offensive tackle prospects remain Paris Johnson Jr. (Ohio State), Broderick Jones (Georgia), and Peter Skoronski (Northwestern). All three linemen will be selected in the first 15 picks.
But if Poles wants to trade with, say, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at No. 19, a player like Tennessee’s Darnell Wright would make a ton of sense. The Chicago Bears are doing their homework on the former five-star recruit.
Wright’s draft stock is on the rise. The Bears hold the highest selection among the teams NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport shared, and while it would be a surprise if Chicago used the ninth pick on him, it wouldn’t be a bad selection.
“Right tackle prospect who used his size and power to overcome athletic limitations and spotty technique on the collegiate level,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote in his scouting report. “The tape can be a little uneven for Wright with poor block finishes followed up by aggressive pancakes. He played with much better body control and footwork in 2022, though. Wright is capable of staying at right tackle at the next level provided he’s given protection help from time to time. While he was often a positional blocker at Tennessee, he’s a very talented drive blocker when allowed to fire out. There will be inconsistent outings, but Wright should develop into a decent starting tackle with the potential to kick inside if necessary.”
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
At this point in the draft process, it’s clear the Chicago Bears will select an offensive lineman in the first round. Unless a pass rusher like Will Anderson Jr. has an unexpected slide to No. 9 or Jalen Carter passes all of his background checks, there’s no realistic alternate option that should move Poles off of the position.
According to NFL Mock Draft Database, Darnell Wright is trending as the 25th overall player in the draft and the fourth offensive tackle chosen. A player in that tiering always has a chance to be selected in the top 10.
The offensive tackle the Chicago Bears select will play right tackle in 2023. Braxton Jones is Chicago’s left tackle. And among the first-round prospects in this year’s draft, Darnell Wright is the most natural fit for the right side.
