Bears Select Tennessee OT Darnell Wright 10th Overall

The Chicago Bears traded back an additional spot in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft before selecting offensive tackle Darnell Wright from the University of Tennessee. The 6’5” 335 pound lineman made 42 career starts for the Volunteers mainly at right tackle, including all 13 games in 2022.

The former five-star recruit from Huntington, West Virginia is viewed as a safe pick who should be a starting lineman in the NFL. He is versatile having played three separate positions on the line for Tennessee.

He is a physical player who has a strong upper body and finishes his blocks. He has arms that are a bit on the short side and struggled with edge rushers at times. The Bears picked up a fourth round pick in exchange for trading back one pick with the Eagles.

Chicago had the opportunity to select Georgia DT Jalen Carter, rated by many as the top player in the draft before a deadly drag racing incident in January raised character concerns with NFL executives.