Scooby Wright NFL Draft 2016: Scouting Report, Grade for Browns Rookie

POSITIVES

A former 2-star recruit coming out of high school, according to 247Sports, Scooby Wright dominated the college football scene in 2014, winning the Bronko Nagurski, Rotary Lombardi and Chuck Bednarik awards while bringing home a unanimous first-team All-American selection and Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year honors.

An instinctive, heady player, Wright sees the ball and attacks it. He plays with pro-level fundamentals and wins by doing the little things right in his run fits and reading keys. Wright is a forceful tackler and brings enough heat behind his pads to force turnovers and jar ball-carriers. His instincts and awareness put him around the ball, and he consistently made plays (forced fumbles, interceptions, sacks).

Wright is reliable and consistent in coverage, showing the vision to make plays in short-to-intermediate coverage. His short-area quickness and instincts allow him to cover up a lack of athleticism in space.

A dynamic playmaker in college, Wright will have to overcome the “short and slow” label, just as he did coming out of high school. There is a lot to love, though, in his work ethic and playmaking ability.

NEGATIVES

Wright battled through injuries in his last season of college, dealing with a torn meniscus and then a sprained foot.

Wright lacks the size, athleticism, length and durability that teams look for. Teams we’ve spoke to noted he’ll have a hard time making a club with his lack of size and speed, and then more trouble staying there with his injuries.

An overaggressive player on the field, Wright tries to run through linemen and ball-carriers but doesn’t have the strength to consistently make plays at that level. His frame is maxed out and doesn’t leave any room for added size/power, and already he’s limited due to poor hip flexibility and burst.

Wright was an amazing college player, but when projecting him forward to the NFL, he lacks many of the traits needed to succeed. Fans will point to exceptions like Zach Thomas or Chris Borland, but those players have been few and far between.

COMBINE RESULTS

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 239 lbs.

40 Time: 4.87s

3-Cone: 7.25s

Short Shuttle: 4.55s

PRO COMPARISON: Shayne Skov, San Francisco 49ers
FINAL GRADE: 5.70/9.00 (Round 4—Backup Caliber)