Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles is off and running with his draft weekend to-do list, looking to improve a last-place roster and accelerate the team’s return toward playoff contention.
In a demanding and busy offseason, Poles has expressed eagerness to do his heaviest lifting through the draft. That process began in Thursday night’s first round and will continue through Saturday evening.
Bears remaining picks in 2023 NFL draft (April 27-29)
- Round 2: Nos. 53 and 61
- Round 3: No. 64
- Round 4: Nos. 103 and 133
- Round 5: Nos. 136 and 148
- Round 7: Nos. 218 and 258
As Poles and the Bears navigate the weekend, we will offer you a comprehensive look at each of the players the team selects.
Catch up on pre-draft coverage
Height, weight: 6-5, 333
Why the Bears drafted him: Wright is a massive man who is hard to move. And while he has experience playing on both sides of the offensive line, he excelled last season at right tackle, where he can be plugged in as an immediate starter for the Bears. Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr., who was selected No. 3 by the Houston Texans, singled out Wright as the opponent he had the most difficulty against last season. In 2021, Wright also had an eye-catching performance against Georgia’s Travon Walker, who was the top pick in the 2022 draft. Wright’s upside is undeniable and the flashes on his college tape are difficult to ignore.
Why he wasn’t drafted sooner: Wright was the second offensive tackle selected Thursday, so it’s not as if he had a grueling wait to hear his name called. Ohio State’s Paris Johnson Jr. was the first offensive lineman off the board, picked at No. 6 by the Arizona Cardinals. The Bears, after trading down one spot and passing on Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter, selected Wright over fellow offensive tackles Peter Skoronski of Northwestern — who went No. 11 to the Tennessee Titans — and Broderick Jones of Georgia.
