Tag: Darnell Wright

3 offensive tackles to watch for Chiefs at 2023 NFL Scouting Combine

Here are three offensive tackle prospects the #Chiefs should be keeping an eye on during on-field drills and testing Sunday.

The 2023 NFL Scouting Combine concludes on Sunday, with the final group of offensive players hitting the field at Lucas Oil Stadium for on-field drills and workouts. You can watch the running backs and offensive linemen workout from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET on NFL Network.

The Kansas City Chiefs added a number of young contributors to the team via the draft just a season ago. Several of those players posted impressive performances at the combine. The team will look to follow up its standout 2022 draft class by adding even more instant-impact players in 2023.

Keep an eye on the following three offensive tackles working out on Sunday. A head-turning performance could put any number of the players squarely on the radar for Brett Veach and company.

Commanders have formal meetings with 2 top offensive line prospects

The Commanders are meeting with multiple offensive line prospects.

The Washington Commanders understand that improving the offensive line this offseason is arguably their top priority. Yes, the quarterback position remains a priority, but Washington is prepared to give second-year QB Sam Howell a chance to win the job.

Of course, none of that matters if Howell can’t stay upright.

The Commanders could essentially upgrade all five positions on the offensive line. That’s obviously not going to happen in one offseason. Left tackle Charles Leno Jr. is a safe bet to return as the starter. While Leno isn’t Trent Williams, he’s much more steady than he’s often given credit for.

As for the rest of the offensive line, there are issues.

So it’s no surprise that head coach Ron Rivera has spoken of adding pieces to the offensive line. The best place to find offensive line help is in the NFL draft. Picking No. 16 overall, the Commanders have a chance to land a quality starter in the first round.

According to Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network, the Commanders formally met with two of the draft’s top prospects at their respective positions.

Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright is considered by many to be a top-five tackle in the 2023 NFL draft. Wright will likely go in the first round, meaning the Commanders will need to select him at No. 16 or trade down a few spots and hope he remains on the board.

John Michael Schmitz of Minnesota is considered the top center prospect in the draft. Schmitz capped off a big senior season with an excellent week at the Senior Bowl, which helped his stock rise.

Veteran center Chase Roullier has ended his last two seasons on injured reserve, so Washington must add a young player to the position.

While the Commanders will meet with multiple other prospects, it’s clear they remain focused on getting better up front.

 

Tennessee OT Darnell Wright explains how to block Will Anderson Jr. and BJ Ojulari

Tennessee right tackle Darnell Wright erased Will Anderson Jr. and BJ Ojulari in 2022. On Saturday, he explained exactly how he did that.

INDIANAPOLIS — It’s not always easy to get anything of import from the player podium sessions at a scouting combine. The 15-minute pressers are generally taken up halfway with various reporters asking, “Did you meet with [Team X],” “Did you meet with [Team X]?” “Did you meet with [Team X]?” “Did you meet with [Team X]?” “Did you meet with [Team X]?” and finally, “Did you meet with [Team X]?”

Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright took care of that during his Saturday morning podium session by pulling out his phone and running down the names of about three-quarters of the NFL.

With that out of the way, it was time to talk about Wright’s 2022 season reps against two of the best edge-rushers in this draft class — Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr., and LSU’s BJ Ojulari. Anderson is a consensus top-five prospect, and Ojulari might sneak into the first round, but neither man did much against Wright. In back-to-back games against LSU and Alabama, Wright allowed a total of no sacks, no quarterback hits, and one quarterback hurry on 81 pass-protection snaps. And at 6-foot-5 and 342 pounds, you know that Wright can get it done in the run game, as well.

But this was about how Wright protected quarterback Hendon Hooker in those two games. He did so to the point where Anderson, in his own podium session this week, said that Wright was the best offensive tackle he faced.

“My sophomore year to my junior year, he had gotten way better,” Anderson said of Wright. “Very athletic, can bend, [and] can re-trace with his steps. If he gets off balance, [he] can sit down on power[-rushes], so it was really exciting going against him this year. He was really great.”

Wright’s game against Anderson was one of the primary series of moments in the SEC last season, because Anderson had just two pressures in that Tennessee game, and he had to get as far away from Wright as possible to get either one of them. When it was mano a mano, Anderson found himself shut out.

I asked Wright how he decided to deal with Anderson, and from there, it’s time to go to the tape.

Tennessee OT Darnell Wright explains how to block Will Anderson Jr. and BJ Ojulari

Tennessee right tackle Darnell Wright erased Will Anderson Jr. and BJ Ojulari in 2022. On Saturday, he explained exactly how he did that.

INDIANAPOLIS — It’s not always easy to get anything of import from the player podium sessions at a scouting combine. The 15-minute pressers are generally taken up halfway with various reporters asking, “Did you meet with [Team X],” “Did you meet with [Team X]?” “Did you meet with [Team X]?” “Did you meet with [Team X]?” “Did you meet with [Team X]?” and finally, “Did you meet with [Team X]?”

Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright took care of that during his Saturday morning podium session by pulling out his phone and running down the names of about three-quarters of the NFL.

With that out of the way, it was time to talk about Wright’s 2022 season reps against two of the best edge-rushers in this draft class — Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr., and LSU’s BJ Ojulari. Anderson is a consensus top-five prospect, and Ojulari might sneak into the first round, but neither man did much against Wright. In back-to-back games against LSU and Alabama, Wright allowed a total of no sacks, no quarterback hits, and one quarterback hurry on 81 pass-protection snaps. And at 6-foot-5 and 342 pounds, you know that Wright can get it done in the run game, as well.

But this was about how Wright protected quarterback Hendon Hooker in those two games. He did so to the point where Anderson, in his own podium session this week, said that Wright was the best offensive tackle he faced.

“My sophomore year to my junior year, he had gotten way better,” Anderson said of Wright. “Very athletic, can bend, [and] can re-trace with his steps. If he gets off balance, [he] can sit down on power[-rushes], so it was really exciting going against him this year. He was really great.”

Wright’s game against Anderson was one of the primary series of moments in the SEC last season, because Anderson had just two pressures in that Tennessee game, and he had to get as far away from Wright as possible to get either one of them. When it was mano a mano, Anderson found himself shut out.

I asked Wright how he decided to deal with Anderson, and from there, it’s time to go to the tape.

2023 NFL scouting combine: Schedule for seven Vols

2023 NFL scouting combine: A look at the schedule for seven Vols

The 2023 NFL scouting combine is taking place Feb. 28-March 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Quarterback Hendon Hooker, wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, wide receiver Cedric Tillman, offensive tackle Darnell Wright, edge rusher Byron Young, linebacker Jeremy Banks and punter Paxton Brooks are the seven representatives for Tennessee.

Wright and Hyatt have received first-round NFL draft projections throughout the offseason. Young and Wright both participated in the Reese’s Senior Bowl, while Banks competed in the East-West Shrine Bowl.

Prospects next opportunity to workout for scouts will be at Tennessee’s pro day in Knoxville, Tennessee on March 30.

A look back at Josh Heupel preparing for the 2001 NFL draft

Below is the schedule for each of the seven Tennessee representatives at the 2023 NFL scouting combine.

10 dynamic prospects for the Eagles to watch at the NFL scouting combine

With the workouts set to begin, we’re looking at 10 dynamic players for the Philadelphia Eagles to watch at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine

The Eagles are at the NFL scouting combine and with two first-round picks for the second year in a row, they’ll look to retool with 18 pending free agents set to hit the open market.

Philadelphia could lose Isaac Seumalo and Miles Sanders on offense, but the unit is intact at the most critical positions and will likely use their six draft picks on dynamic defenders.

The Eagles have 9 key contributors on defense set for free agency, and GM Howie Roseman has acknowledged that he won’t be able to retain his core of free agents with Jalen Hurts set to land a huge contract extension.

With the onfield portion of the combine set to heat up, we’re looking at 10 dynamic prospects for the Eagles to watch.

Eagles’ biggest draft needs as the NFL Combine gets underway

We’re looking at the Philadelphia Eagles’ biggest NFL Draft needs as the Scouting Combine gets underway

The Eagles will have two first-round picks in April’s NFL Draft, 18 pending free agents, and a contract extension for quarterback Jalen Hurts, meaning the roster will look different going forward.

Some of the usual suspects or names you’ve grown to love will move on, while younger, more athletic, and dynamic replacements will join a roster looking for a return to the Super Bowl.

Philadelphia’s team brass is in Indianapolis to evaluate some of the top talent available and we’re previewing the Eagles’ biggest draft needs.

Commanders add help in the trenches in the new Mel Kiper Jr. mock draft

Kiper gives the Commanders an immediate starter on the offensive line.

It’s no secret the Washington Commanders need help on the offensive line. It’s not a stretch to say Washington could upgrade at every position on the line, but that’s not going to happen in one offseason.

Left tackle Charles Leno Jr. is a solid piece. While Leno isn’t going to remind anyone of Trent Williams, he’s not a liability, either. The same can’t be said for some of Washington’s other positions on the offensive line in 2022.

It’s not known how active the Commanders will be in free agency due to the current ownership situation, leading them to look toward the 2023 NFL draft to help add some talent to the offensive line.

In the latest Mel Kiper Jr. mock draft for ESPN ahead of the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, the Commanders get some much-needed help on the offensive line in the form of Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright.

This is the end of a mini-run on offensive linemen, with four projected in seven picks from Nos. 10 to 16. It’s a really solid class. Wright has the most experience of the bunch. He started 42 games for the Volunteers, with 27 at right tackle, 13 at left tackle and two at right guard. That versatility is attractive to NFL teams, though I expect him to stick at right tackle at the next level.

The Commanders need an injection of talent along the O-line. They ranked 28th in both yards per play on offense (4.9) and yards per rush on offense (4.0) last season. They could move inconsistent 2021 second-rounder Sam Cosmi to guard, which would free up the right tackle spot. Broderick Jones (Georgia) is another right tackle to keep an eye on, though I have him ranked below Wright.

Drafting Wright would free up Washington to move Cosmi to guard. Some believe that will eventually be his best position. Cosmi has shown flashes at times through two seasons, particularly as a run blocker, but has struggled to stay on the field.

Washington fans want offensive line help, and almost no one would be disappointed if that’s the pick at No. 16.

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Commanders land help at key positions in 3-round mock draft

The Commanders land help at key positions in a new 3-round mock draft.

The Washington Commanders introduced new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy this week. Adding Bieniemy was a coup for Washington as it enters the fourth season of head coach Ron Rivera’s tenure in 2023.

With the coaching staff mostly complete, Washington will add 2-3 more assistants; the Commanders can look to retaining their own free agents and adding to the roster.

Washington has some decisions with its roster before free agency begins next month. But before free agency begins, we have the NFL combine. This week, Luke Easterling of Draft Wire dropped his latest three-round mock draft pre-combine. Who did Easterling send to Washington?

 

Three Vols projected as top-40 selections in 2023 NFL draft

Three Vols are projected as top-40 picks in the upcoming 2023 NFL draft.

The NFL draft process is in full swing with focus beginning to shift towards the scouting combine in Indianapolis, Indiana on Feb. 28.

CBS Sports released an updated two-round mock draft on Monday, including three Vols projected as top-40 picks.

Wide receiver Jalin Hyatt is projected as the No. 26 overall selection by Dallas.

Hyatt won the 2022 Biletnikoff Award last season. He led the country with 15 receiving touchdowns, a single-season record for the Volunteers. Hyatt’s 1,267 receiving yards last season ranks second all-time in school history.

Offensive tackle Darnell Wright is projected as the No. 33 overall pick by Houston.

Wright started all 13 games at right tackle and earned unanimous first-team All-SEC honors last season. He was a top performer at the 2023 Senior Bowl and has shown versatility to play both tackle and guard in the NFL.

Quarterback Hendon Hooker is projected as the No. 40 overall pick by New Orleans.

Hooker suffered a season-ending injury Nov. 19, 2022 at South Carolina. He was named the 2022 SEC Offensive Player of the Year. Hooker finished his Tennessee career with 58 passing touchdowns, the fifth-most in program history. His 7,126 yards of total offense at Tennessee ranks sixth all-time in school history.

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