Opinions on the Darnell Wright pick by the Chicago Bears have varied among draft experts. Some are lukewarm on it, believing better options were available, like Peter Skoronski or Broderick Jones. GM Ryan Poles didn't care. He loved Wright's tape and became convinced the big Tennessee tackle had greatness in him after multiple meetings leading up to the draft. Often in these situations, the smart thing to do is get opinions from guys who might know a thing or two about offensive line play.
Brian Baldinger of NFL Network played in the league for several years. He made it known even before the draft that Wright was his favorite prospect. Apparently, he isn't alone. Another former lineman is a big fan of the Bears' new right tackle. A.Q. Shipley was in the NFL for nine years. He played in 110 games and finished by helping the Tampa Bay Buccaneers win the Super Bowl in 2020. Since then, he's become a regular member of the Pat McAfee Show. He was present during their draft special when the Bears selected Wright.
Shipley spent two minutes explaining how excellent the pick was in detail, foul language and all.
Darnell Wright is the "prick" the Bears needed.
When he took over last year, Poles said he wanted more tone-setters on the offensive line. Shipley believes that is exactly what they go in the 1st round pick. Not only is he big and strong, but he's mean too. What sets him apart is how effectively he uses his hands. Most offensive linemen coming out of college don't yet understand how to utilize proper hand technique. They rely on their size, strength, and athleticism to do the job. Wright has all three, but he made life hell for SEC pass rushers thanks to his hand-fighting ability.
Shipley has played alongside some really good offensive tackles in his NFL career. Tristan Wirfs, Anthony Castonzo, D.J. Humphries, and Andre Smith were some of them. He knows what good players at the position are supposed to look like. His enthusiasm for Darnell Wright must be taken as a great sign for the Bears. They got somebody who embodies their new culture and has a chance to be good for a long time in this league. That bodes well for a franchise trying to build around their young quarterback.
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