Green Bay Packers to Meet w/ UAB Edge Rusher Alex Wright

The Green Bay Packers have one of the best pass-rushing duos in Preston Smith and Rashan Gary, both of whom would finish the top-10 among edge rushers in terms of pressures generated last season.

However, that doesn’t mean that the position is not upgradeable. In fact, it very much is. As good as Smith and Gary were in 2021, the depth of the unit was still a concern and remains one now.

While, of course, expectations shouldn’t be that when Smith and Gary aren’t on the field their production can be replaced, but there was still a real lack of impact plays when those two were on the sidelines. Competing for those third and fourth edge rusher roles this summer will be Randy Ramsey, Jonathan Garvin, Tipa Galeai, and La’Darius Hamilton.

So given the play last season from those off the bench, don’t be surprised to see the Green Bay Packers address edge rusher in the draft, even somewhat early on. It is one of the most important positions in football, after all.

According to Justin Melo of The Draft Network, one name that the Green Bay Packers are interested in is UAB’s, Alex Wright.

Melo would also add that the Packers, along with several other teams, met with Wright at the NFL combine, and they will soon meet virtually as well. Around the league, there is a ton of interest in his natural tools.

Those natural tools that Melo is referring to are that Wright stands 6’5,” weighs 270 pounds, and has 34″ arms. He certainly fits the mold of other edge rushers that Brian Gutekunst has targeted, whether that be in free agency or the draft.

Relatively speaking, Wright is a somewhat inexperienced player with just 987 career snaps over three years, including 443 this past season. He would go on to record 51 pressures — tied for the 14th most among edge rushers — five sacks in 2021 and held his own against the run.

For what it’s worth, he was PFF’s third-highest graded edge rusher as well. Wright does have some minimal experience lining up inside but was primarily utilized in the traditional edge rusher role. He also has some special teams experience–150 career snaps, to be exact.

"“My set of go-to moves may differ based on my weekly opponent,” said Wright in an interview with Melo. “It depends on who we’re playing against. I’m comfortable switching it up every week if I have to. I look to identify certain tells on tape throughout the week of film study. I love using the cross-chop on certain offensive tackles. I love the bull rush and swipe moves as well. Those are the top three moves in my pass-rushing arsenal currently. It all depends on the offensive tackles really.”"

Now for more on Wright’s game, here is what Lance Zierlein of NFL.com has to say about him in his scouting report:

"“Developmental defensive end who is still growing into his body and his position. Wright will likely look much different in pads within a couple of years. His current play lacks recognition, sophistication and technique. However, he’s a young player who flashes and still posts good rush production, albeit versus lesser blockers.“In a projection-based model where additional size, strength and technique improvements are likely, his athleticism becomes an even more impressive weapon as both a run defender and pass rusher. He will require a runway for development, but he’s worth a middle-round selection as a potential three-down starter for odd- or even-front teams.”"

According to the NFL Mock Draft Database, which compiles hundreds of mock drafts and big boards from around the internet, Wright is the 166th player on their consensus big board and is projected as a Day 3 selection. Meanwhile, The Draft Network has him as their 180th overall prospect.

As Zierlein mentions, there will be development needed, but Wright has the tools and comes with a high ceiling, which again, is typically the type of players that the Green Bay Packers will target in the draft.