2015 Atlanta Falcons Potential Draft Pick Profile: DL Gabe Wright

In continuing with the interior defensive linemen theme, Gabe Wright out of Auburn makes a ton of sense for the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL draft if they want to bring in someone who can emulate Brandon Mebane within the confines of the defense that new head coach Dan Quinn is putting in.

Wright's got that bowling ball kind of build that Jonathan Babineaux also has and could be an ideal backup behind Babineaux should the Falcons use Ra'Shede Hageman more as a 5-technique end than a 3-technique defensive tackle in 2015.

Gabe Wright

Interior Defensive Lineman

Auburn University

Combine/Pro Day Measurements

Height: 6'3" Weight: 300 pounds

Arm Length: 32-5/8" Hand Measurement: 10-3/4"

40-yard dash: 5.07 sec. 10-yard split: 1.79 sec.

20-yard shuttle: 4.56 sec. Three-cone Drill: 7.73 sec. Bench Reps: 34 reps

Vertical Jump: 26.5" Broad Jump: 8'4"

Stats

2014: 13 Games Played, 24 Tackles, 4.5 Tackles for Loss, 1.0 Sack, 10 QB Hurries

2013: 14 Games Played, 31 Tackles, 8.5 Tackles for Loss, 3.0 Sacks, 8 QB Hurries

2012: 12 Games Played, 19 Tackles, 4.5 Tackles for Loss, 1.0 Sack, 6 QB Hurries, 2 Pass Deflections

2011: 13 Games Played, 12 Tackles, 3.0 Tackles for Loss, 1.0 Sack, 3 QB Hurries, 1 Fumble Forced

Scouting Report

Strengths

Pass rush is the name of the game with Wright. He's one of the best pure interior rushers in this year's draft. And yes, the thought that six sacks makes him that seems counter-intuitive to most, but disruption is production in today's NFL. He has 27 hurries to go with those sacks during his career.

He also makes plays behind the line against the run game by knifing through offensive lines and making plays in the backfield. He has a tendency to align right in the perfect spot on nickel formations to eat double teams to allow his linebackers or ends to face one-on-ones more often.

Weaknesses

Wright isn't a great run defender and tries to penetrate the offensive line more than playing his standard fits. It causes him to get washed out of plays too often when he's asked to play two gaps. The Falcons would likely have to put him on the one-gap side of the defense.

As a pass-rusher, he creates a ton of pressure using his initial burst, but he really has to develop some more pass-rushing moves. This is more of a spot of improvement than a true weakness. Wright is also very role specific as he should play a 3-technique or 1-technique where he attacks gaps all day.

How does he fit the Comrade Filter?

Wright was a captain for the Tigers during his senior season and would be a great fit for the Falcons locker room partially because of that. The Falcons also will make note that he wasn't a problem off the field in Auburn either.

He's shown continual improvement every single year in college as well, and that shows that he takes to coaching well and understands what he has to do to get better. He plays smart rather than hard and understands the game. 

Overview

The Auburn tackle will bring back memories of a young Babineaux or even of Rod Coleman after he got to Atlanta and was played in the right role. The talented player should be able to impact in the NFL positively for his new team no matter where he goes.

A limited scheme fit will probably allow Wright to slip. He's not ideal for the 3-4 defense and should be used primarily in one-gap 4-3 defenses. A team who will use him in a 3-technique under tackle role primarily in passing sets early in his career would be the best situation.

How he would fit into the Falcons' plans

If the Falcons took Wright, they should wait until the fourth round to do so. He's a talented player and could go anywhere from the second round all the way to the fifth round, but the Falcons don't need to spend the higher pick on a position that won't be a starter right away.

Wright's long-term fit is as a starter at 3-technique next to a massive nose tackle—or Hageman—at 1-technique. This season, Wright would be a rotational pass-rushing piece that would see anywhere from 30-to-40 percent of the snaps with all of those being in nickel and dime sets.

All stats used are from Pro Football Focus' Premium Stats, ESPN.com, CFBStats or NFL.com. All combine and pro day info is courtesy of NFLDraftScout.com. All contract information is courtesy of Spotrac.

Scott Carasik is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He covers the Atlanta Falcons, college football, the NFL and the NFL draft. He's also a Draft Analyst for Pro Football Spot.

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