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LAKE FOREST — Darnell Wright is living up to his draft status. The No. 10 overall pick has played every single snap of his rookie season and has held his own against some of the top defensive linemen in the league.
He has played 936 total offensive snaps and 545 have been pass blocking, according to Pro Football Focus. Wright has only given up seven sacks and 43 total pressures on the season despite facing pass rushers such as Maxx Crosby, Aidan Hutchinson, Chris Jones, Danielle Hunter, Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa, Myles Garrett and even his new teammate Montez Sweat when he was on Washington.
The rookie right tackle out of Tennesse has experienced a lot in his first season in the NFL, and he is constantly seeking how he can become better than the day before.
Wright sat down with CHGO on Wednesday to discuss everything from who his toughest matchup has been to what he wants to focus on with only three games left in the regular season.
How would you assess your play from the game against the Browns?
“I think I played alright. There were a few plays I wish I had back, like with every game. For the most part, I think it was a good learning game. I was going against some players and a defense that I’m not that used to. I’m not used to any defense in the NFL, but you know what I mean. Just getting out of the regular defense we have been seeing, so it’s kind of a different structure. So that was a big thing for me. Definitely some good things, but also some stuff I can work on for the future.”
Matt Eberflus said the offense needed to improve on early downs heading into this game against the Cardinals, how would you describe what happened on early downs against the Browns?
“I’d say on first down we just need to have positive plays. If we have a negative play or if we have a false start or something, that’s definitely getting behind the chains. Just having a positive play on first down. That’s definitely what we want to do.”
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On the first play of the game, the deep shot to DJ, what happened there?
“That was definitely on me. That first down was definitely on me. I just slipped, so I actually changed my cleats after that.”
What was it like playing Myles Garrett?
“Yeah, it was fun. I mean he wasn’t lined up against me as much cause he rushes the other side, but it was challenging. It was definitely challenging being away and with the cadence, you know, the away cadence and the noise. Trying to get off the ball cause his getoff is so good. That was definitely a challenge. It will definitely help me if I play him again.”
With all the guys you have faced this season, is there one that stands out?
“I would say Myles. Myles would be the best for sure. I didn’t go against him that much, but I could tell if I would be going up against him that whole game, it would have definitely been, uh, I don’t know if it would be a good or bad game. We’d have to see. The reps I did have against him they weren’t really like dominant reps. They were just kind of whatever reps.
Dominant reps from you or him?
“It’s not like I’m saying I went out there and dominated. It was just iffy reps. One of them was really bad. So I don’t know if I would have went up against him the whole game it probably wouldn’t have been my best game. So he was definitely one of the better players.”
With three games left in the regular season, do you have any personal goal to end your rookie season?
“Off the top just finishing strong. Obviously the goal that I have set is just getting better each week. Finishing strong and obvioulsy getting to the end of the season. But getting better each week and that is kind of different each week as far as it kind of shapes out to be because some things happen during a game that you want to get better in that week. But that has just been how I’ve been approaching each game and each week.”
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