2023 NFL Draft Grades: The Athletic nearly fails Bears for picking Darnell Wright

Chicago Bears fans may want to look away. The Athletic issued grades for every first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and the selection of Darnell Wright didn’t score well.

The Bears earned a lowly D- for what was described as the first round’s most questionable move.

“GM Ryan Poles was a former offensive lineman and has tried to rebuild his roster on the O-line first,” The Athletic’s Scott Dochterman wrote. “And Wright will help, but the Bears have nothing on the defensive line. Absolutely nothing.

‘Wright started at three different positions along Tennessee’s offensive line over four seasons but played his best football last fall at right tackle. In the Vols’ quick-tempo, big-strike scheme, Wright was forced to block some of the country’s top edge rushers and didn’t allow a sack in 2022. He’s physical and nasty but still has room to grow in his technique to become an upper-level offensive lineman.”

Chicago Bears prioritized offense over defense

Indeed, the Chicago Bears need help on defense. And, yes, a player like Jalen Carter would’ve provided an instant jolt of confidence in the defensive line. But the Bears did their homework and deemed Darnell Wright a better fit for the team at this point in the rebuild.

If we’re being honest, Ryan Poles couldn’t go wrong with his first-round pick, at least, not in the eyes of Chicago Bears fans. Had he taken an edge rusher or an interior defender, he would’ve filled a massive need. Instead, he took a plug-and-play right tackle and filled… a massive need.

I think the bigger issue with the Darnell Wright pick — if there is one — is that he wasn’t the consensus “next” offensive tackle on many pre-draft rankings. Names like Peter Skoronski and Broderick Jones had higher grades, and they both came off the board a few picks later.

At this point, pre-draft rankings are irrelevant. Now, it’s about the selected player’s value and fit. Darnell Wright is arguably now the most naturally talented offensive lineman on the Chicago Bears roster, and he’ll do wonders protecting Justin Fields and opening running lanes for Chicago’s two-headed backfield.