NFL.com: Scooby Wright potential defensive steal in NFL draft
Apr 1, 2016, 7:22 AM
If any prospect past day one of the NFL draft has a chance to be a steal, a safe bet would be Scooby Wright.
The former Arizona linebacker’s ludicrous production in his 2014 season was a major enough blip on NFL scout’s radars to attract some attention.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein agrees, including Wright on a list of possible NFL draft defensive steals.
While his name is very recognizable, that doesn’t mean “Scooby” can’t be a draft steal. Wright put together one of the most productive seasons we’ve ever seen on the defensive side of the ball back in 2014, but was able to play in just three games in 2015 due to injury. Wright’s athletic testing numbers and overall speed aren’t up to the early round league standards for his position, but he has predictive instincts and initial quickness that puts him ahead of most blockers en route to the ball. Wright has the toughness and instincts to become a quality, starting inside linebacker.
Wright is coming off an injury-riddled 2015 season that saw him play in only three games.
The 21-year-old was looking to follow up his impressive 2014 defensive season. He recorded 99 solo tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 14 sacks and six forced fumbles en route to a unanimous All-American selection and the Nagurski, Lombardi, Bednarik, and Lambert awards.
As some expected because of the way he was overlooked by college scouts, Wright had an underwhelming performance at the NFL Combine.
A 4.90 40-yard dash time and 31-inch vertical jump failed to bring positive momentum to his draft stock in February.
NFL.com calls Wright one of the “safer second day bets in this draft,” meaning he would be selected in either round two or three.
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