Tag: Alex Wright

Packers meet virtually with UAB edge rusher Alex Wright

The Packers met virtually with UAB’s Alex Wright, one of the many intriguing edge rushers in the 2022 draft.

The Green Bay Packers met virtually and at the combine with UAB edge rusher Alex Wright, according to Justin Melo of The Draft Network.

Wright (6-5, 271) is one of many intriguing edge rushers in the 2022 NFL draft class.

He produced 19.0 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks and three sacks over 35 games and 18 starts at UAB. Wright was a second-team All-Conference USA selection in 2021 after creating 7.5 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks in 13 games.

He put up 15 reps on the bench press at the NFL Scouting Combine. At his pro day, Wright hit 29″ in the vertical leap, covered 9-6 in the broad jump, finished the short shuttle in 4.42 seconds and three-cone drill in 7.42 seconds. He has a wingspan of almost 83″

Wright is still 21 years old. He doesn’t turn 22 until September. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com sees a high-ceiling player in need of major development, but the Packers – with Rashan Gary and Preston Smith entrenched as starters – could offer Wright an ideal landing spot.

“In a projection-based model where additional size, strength and technique improvements are likely, his athleticism becomes an even more impressive weapon as both a run defender and pass rusher. He will require a runway for development, but he’s worth a middle-round selection as a potential three-down starter for odd- or even-front teams,” Zierlein wrote in Wright’s scouting report.

Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranks Wright as the No. 18 overall edge rusher and the No. 97 overall player in the class. The Packers have a need for a developmental edge rusher and also five picks in the top 100.

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Colts showing interest in UAB EDGE Alex Wright

The Colts have shown interest in UAB edge rusher Alex Wright.

Even after trading for defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, the Indianapolis Colts still have their eyes on the edge rusher position for the 2022 NFL draft.

After years of having an inconsistent pass rush, the Colts have to do everything they can to add as many pass rushers as possible. One of those may be in the form of UAB edge rusher Alex Wright.

According to Justin Melo of The Draft Network, the Colts have plenty of interest in the edge prospect.

Wright certainly has the frame the Colts like in their edge rushers. His 34-inch arms are nearly a requisite to get interest from the Colts.

In 2021, Wright recorded a career-high 6.0 sacks while adding 7.5 tackles for loss.

The Colts have a solid edge group with Ngakoue, Kwity Paye, Dayo Odeyingbo and Tyquan Lewis. But that shouldn’t stop them from adding a high-ceiling prospect like Wright.

Here’s the draft profile from Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, who compared Wright to Taco Charlton.

“Developmental defensive end who is still growing into his body and his position. Wright will likely look much different in pads within a couple of years. His current play lacks recognition, sophistication and technique. However, he’s a young player who flashes and still posts good rush production, albeit versus lesser blockers. In a projection-based model where additional size, strength and technique improvements are likely, his athleticism becomes an even more impressive weapon as both a run defender and pass rusher. He will require a runway for development, but he’s worth a middle-round selection as a potential three-down starter for odd- or even-front teams.”

The Colts have big positions of need yet to fill this offseason like quarterback, left tackle, wide receiver and cornerback. But they are still likely to add some more depth to the pass rush.

When the end of April arrives, Wright very well may be on their list for Day 2.

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Titans showing interest in UAB EDGE Alex Wright

The Titans are doing their due diligence on UAB EDGE Alex Wright.

Despite being in good shape at the position going into 2022, the Tennessee Titans are doing their due diligence on edge rushers for the upcoming NFL draft.

According to Justin Melo of The Draft Network, the Titans met formally with UAB EDGE Alex Wright at the combine and will do so again virtually ahead of April’s draft. They are one of several teams showing interest, though.

Melo projects Wright will go anywhere from late in the second round to early-to-mid third round.

The 6-foot-5, 271-pound pass rusher tallied 91 total tackles (19 for loss), 11.5 sacks and five passes defensed over the last three seasons. His best college campaign came in 2021, when he finished with a career-high six sacks.

Here’s more on Wright, courtesy of Lance Zierlein of NFL.com:

“Developmental defensive end who is still growing into his body and his position. Wright will likely look much different in pads within a couple of years. His current play lacks recognition, sophistication and technique. However, he’s a young player who flashes and still posts good rush production, albeit versus lesser blockers. In a projection-based model where additional size, strength and technique improvements are likely, his athleticism becomes an even more impressive weapon as both a run defender and pass rusher. He will require a runway for development, but he’s worth a middle-round selection as a potential three-down starter for odd- or even-front teams.”

The Titans have a whole list of needs to address in the draft before even thinking about taking an edge rusher, with wide receiver, tight end, and offensive line (guard and tackle) being the biggest.

I don’t see the Titans addressing EDGE with any of their first three picks over the first three rounds, thus they might not be able to get their hands on the talented UAB product.

UAB’s Alex Wright could be part of solution to replenishing Cowboys edge department

The Cowboys suddenly have a depth issue at defensive end they could be choosing to thin out. Tyler Browning (@DiabeticTyler) takes a look at a mid-round option to help replenish.

The Dallas Cowboys offseason is riddled with questions, including the expiring contract of edge rusher Randy Gregory. He has had some off-the-field issues in the past, and the Cowboys have stuck by him though it all; and it appeared he finally has everything sorted out as he played in all but 4 games this year and tallied 6 sacks and 17 QB hits. Will the Cowboys prioritize him going forward? Or will they think they can replace him in the draft and spend the money elsewhere?

UAB edge rusher Alex Wrigh is fantastic against the run, light on his feet, has a lethal swim move, and can split double teams. The main thing missing from his game is the ability to finish the play. He will get in the backfield hurry the QB or make initial contact with the RB, but just fails to secure the tackle a number of times. Does he fit in Dallas? A dive into his film will provide some answers.