The Chicago Bears are sitting in a good position at ninth overall after trading the first overall pick to the Carolina Panthers for a haul that included two first-rounders, two second-rounders and wide receiver DJ Moore.
Still, Chicago has some big needs, particularly with the offensive and defensives lines. The expectation is the Bears will use their first pick on the trenches, where they should have their pick of offensive tackle.
In a new mock draft from The Athletic‘s Diante Lee, Chicago grabs the second offensive tackle on the board in Tennessee’s Darnell Wright at ninth overall.
Though Johnson is off the board, there’s no shortage of tackles for Chicago as it tries to build an offense around Justin Fields. Braxton Jones was a huge find for GM Ryan Poles, and Wright would give Chicago a huge pair of bookends to move bodies in the run game and set up a vertical, play-action passing attack.
Wright may have been my favorite player to watch in the pre-draft process because he moves with an explosiveness and agility that belies his 333-pound frame. As with Johnson, there’s still some improvement needed in pass protection — especially since Wright doesn’t have the same kind of length as Johnson — but he’s a clean prospect who can play on the left or right side.
Wright was a four-year starter at Tennessee, where he played left and right tackle. He didn’t give up a sack in 19 consecutive games to end his Tennessee career.
Wright is a reliable pass protector but needs to improve as a run blocker. He was considered a sleeper but has since skyrocketed up draft boards.
Braxton Jones is currently slated to start at left tackle, but the Bears have made it clear they could move him to the right side if needed. Ultimately, the coaching staff will put players where they’re best suited.
