Darnell Wright NFL Draft Scouting Report

OT, Tennessee Volunteers

A consensus five-star recruit, Darnell Wright delivered a highly productive career at Tennessee. He became a starter as a freshman at right tackle in 2019 and started every game there in 2020 before moving to left tackle in 2021 and then finishing his career back at right tackle in 2022. His experience against top competition, ability to play both sides, and growth in every season is a notable part of his evaluation. 

Wright features an appealing blend of size, power, and tenacity. He has the functional strength and mass to create displacement in the run game. I really like the power in his hands and overall grip strength. His hands are not easily displaced and it’s impressive how his punch is able to stun opponents. He displays the ability to operate his hands independently and vary his strikes. Wright’s anchor is stout in pass protection and opponents won’t find success attempting to play through him. He’s a competitive blocker with ideal temperament. He is confident in pass pro, rarely getting overeager, and trusts his ability to frame, anchor, and utilize his length to keep opponents at bay. 

Wright is a big-bodied blocker with only sufficient foot speed and tight hips. I believe he could benefit from dropping 10-15 pounds to improve his movement skills. Wright struggles to get good depth in his vertical sets and likes to quick set and get his hands fit while dropping his anchor to stymie rushers before they can get multiple steps into their rush. He has some tendencies to get top-heavy, duck his head, and fold at the waist when engaged with blocks—he needs to play with better bend and leverage. Wright’s range as a run blocker is underwhelming and he hasn’t proven to be effective on longer pulls or climbing to the second level while being tasked with connecting with moving targets. His modest lateral range creates challenges when attempting to execute reach blocks. In addition, he isn’t the most fluid when required to hinge and pivot when passing off rushers and adjusting to pressure schemes. 

Wright has the makeup of a quality NFL starter in a run scheme that is willing to accept his modest range. His experience against top competition, power, and mass give him the chance to be a starter early in his career. 

Top Reasons to Buy In:

• Experience and performance at both LT and RT against top competition
• Hand technique and length
• Functional strength and patience in pass protection

Top Reasons For Concern:

• Range in the run game
• Modest footspeed and tightness in the lower half
• Bend and leverage 

Size (NFL Combine):

Height: 6′ 5”

Weight: 333 lbs

Arm Length: 33 3/4”

Hand Size: 9”

Athletic Testing (NFL Combine):

40-yard Dash: 5.01s

Vertical Jump: 29”

Broad Jump: 9′ 6”

Short-Shuttle: TBD

Three-Cone: TBD

Bench Reps: TBD

Ideal Role: Potential early starter at right tackle

Scheme Fit: Gap-heavy run scheme that is mindful of his modest range

Prospect Comparison: Cordy Glenn (2012 NFL Draft) 

TDN Consensus Grade: 81.00/100 (Second-Round Value)

• Marino Grade: 81.00/100

Written By: Joe Marino

Exposures: Pittsburgh (2021), Georgia (2021), Alabama (2021), Georgia (2022), LSU (2022), Alabama (2022), Florida (2022)

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