Boom or Bust for Browns’ Scooby Wright III

Can Scooby Wright III be the dominate linebacker he was in college and boom for the Browns? Or will his lack of athletic ability cause him to bust?

With only four picks left in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL draft the Cleveland Browns came on the clock and took the best player left on the board in Phillip “Scooby” Wright III, linebacker out of the Univeristy of Arizona. Wright III had one of the best seasons a linebacker could have in 2014 posting 163 tackles, 29 tackles for a loss, 14 sacks, and six forced fumbles. The stats Wright III posted in 2014 were enough to earn him the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (awarded to the player adjudged to be the best defensively in the NCAA), Rotary Lombardi Award (best lineman or linebacker), and the Chuck Bednarik Award (College Defensive Player of the year). Wright III saw his production slip massively in 2015 as injuries started to pile up on the highly productive linebacker. First, Wright III suffered from a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee then he suffered a sprain in his right foot. Wright III returned for Arizona’s bowl game against the University of New Mexico where he picked up right where he left off, making fifteen tackles, 3.5 for a loss, and two sacks. At the combine Wright posted 22 reps on the bench and a 4.9 forty yard dash. Will Scooby continue to be a ball seeking missle in the NFL and boom? Or will his lack of athletic ability and injury history cause him to flame out and bust?

Why Wright III will Boom for the Browns

Whatever Wright III lacks in size he makes up for with instincts and determination. Wright III was a fun player to watch in his college days, always being able to be around the ball. At times it seemed like he was in the opponents huddle with how quickly he was able to break to the ball without the slightest hesitation. A former two star recruit, Wright III has always played with a massive chip on his shoulder, which will likely carry into the NFL after falling late into the seventh round. Due to Wright III’s instincts, he is able to cover up his lack of natural athletic ability . Scooby might be the most passionate football player in this draft with all the drive and competitive fire coaches desire.

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Why Wright III will Bust for the Browns

At 6’1” Scooby is a little on the smaller size. His injury history is something to be concerned with moving forward as well. Scooby is already not the biggest guy on the field, so going up against the big boys of the NFL every week make me wonder if Scooby will be able to last for a 16 game season. The drive and passion Wright III possesses is great, but he must do a better job of playing with control. Scooby’s aggressive nature and lack of control are often the reasons he ends up on the ground. Scooby relies heavily on his instincts so when he guesses wrong he leaves his designated area wide open for running backs to run through. The main thing that can hold Wright III back is his athletic ability. Scooby is just an average athlete and if that proves to be a problem in the NFL, Wright III will be doomed to bust.

Will Wright III boom or bust

This was my favorite pick in the entire draft. Wright III is not an athlete, he is a football player and he has always found a way to be successful. His 2014 season did not happen by accident, it happened because Wright III was the best linebacker in the country despite his athletic ability. Sure there are things he can do better in the NFL, but there are also things he does that cannot be taught. Wright III’s competitiveness and instincts outweigh his lack of athletic ability. Scooby Wright III compares to seven time pro bowler Zach Thomas in that they both had questionable size and athletic ability concerns despite being massively productive in college. I would not be shocked if Scooby splits time at middle linebacker to start the season, and eventually takes over one of the middle linebacker spots on a full time basis by seasons end. I do not think it is completely out of the question to think Scooby can be in the running for the defensive rookie of the year award. Wright III has a legitimate chance to be the steal of this entire draft. I think Wright III booms in a big way in the NFL.

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