Cleveland Browns redeem themselves with the pick of Alex Wright

The Cleveland Browns select edge Alex Wright with the 78th pick of the 2022 NFL draft. Why this pick was a homerun for Andrew Berry and company.

In what has been one of the weirdest drafts in recent Cleveland Browns history, Andrew Berry selected Alex Wright with the 78th pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. Berry and the Browns had seemingly been punting on the draft up until the selection of the edge defender with massive upside.

10 picks earlier the Browns selected a cornerback that was not on very many people’s draft boards, leaving fans and analysts puzzled. Then, just like that, they redeem themselves by snagging a prospect with an immensely high ceiling. This was a pick where the value met an area of need, unlike their selection earlier in the round.

Wright has the potential to be a game wrecker off of the edge. Finally, the Browns have a young player that they can pair with Myles Garrett. Wright is still rough around the edges and has areas of his game that he needs to improve, but the tools for success are all there.

While at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Wright consistently showed the ability to be disruptive. Wright did not accrue the accolades that he should have given his physical toolset, but the upside is hard to deny. Now, Wright will have the chance to learn from Garrett and fill the missing pieces in his game.

Defensive line coach, Chris Kiffin, has to be chomping at the bits to work with his new piece of clay. At 6-foot-5, and 271-pounds, Wright will have the remainder of the offseason to prepare his body for the season to come in an NFL strength and conditioning program. He needs to add strength, but his speed and agility could put him on the field early.

There will be a steep learning curve for Wright and they will not put a ton on his plate as a rookie. But Wright will be given the chance to grow in the Browns defensive scheme and eventually earn a starting spot across from Garrett. It will be up to Wright to soak everything in like a sponge, but he is in a great spot to do so.

All in all, the Browns got an absolute steal getting an athlete of Wright’s caliber with the 78th pick. Wright’s draft night grade: B+, but we are going to grade it on a curve given the Browns first pick of the night and give it an A-.