The Chicago Bears can’t hope to get back into the thick of NFL contention until they start drafting well again. It has been a persistent issue for the past decade as guys like Jerry Angelo, Phil Emery, and Ryan Pace routinely failed to put strong classes together. It is hoped that GM Ryan Poles might be able to reverse the trend. Recent signs indicate that could be the case. Several of his recent additions were big contributors to the Bears’ latest win in Minnesota over the Vikings. Jaquan Brisker and Kyler Gordon had interceptions. Roschon Johnson was an offensive focal point.
Trade additions D.J. Moore and Montez Sweat were studs all night as well. However, the name that has caught the attention of Matt Bowen and others at ESPN was different. They put together a list of the top 44 players in the NFL under the age of 24. Players they believe represent the future of the league. To them, the name to watch in Chicago is Darnell Wright. The 10th overall pick is their first-team right tackle and somebody believed to have legitimate star potential once he cleans up some pass protection issues.
“First team: Darnell Wright, Chicago Bears
Current age: 22
Wright has started 11 games at right tackle for the struggling Bears. The rookie’s tape has been hot and cold — he has allowed nine sacks — but his flashes in the run game are dominant with a win rate of 77%. That’s top-20 among all tackles. Wright has to develop, as this is his second season playing right tackle, but the traits are there for him to become a star.”
That is especially true on the offensive line. It started with plucking Braxton Jones out of the 5th round last year. He quickly developed into a legitimate starter who has played some of his best football in the past few weeks. Nate Davis is finally healthy and fitting in at right guard after the Bears signed him as a free agent. Yet the arrival of Wright seems to have brought everything together. Pass protection has improved considerably since last season, and the Bears still have one of the best rushing offenses in the league.
Wright has allowed only two sacks and no QB hits in over 200 one-on-one pass blocks. This was despite facing top NFL studs like Danielle Hunter, Aidan Hutchinson, Joey Bosa, Maxx Crosby, and others. He’s endured a real trial by fire and not backed down. It is easy to see why Ryan Poles liked him so much coming out of Tennessee. If he’s this effective as a rookie, there is no telling how much better he will get as he keeps gaining experience. It also offers hope that Poles is piecing together a roster that can compete with the NFL’s elite.
