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2015 NFL Combine Preview: Auburn Defensive Lineman Gabe Wright

By Nicholas Ian Allen

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The 2015 NFL Combine is underway this week in Indianapolis, and defensive tackle Gabe Wright is one of seven Auburn football players that will participate in the event.

What Did Gabe Wright Do at Auburn?

One of the most dependable players on the roster, Gabe Wright has been a valuable member of the Auburn football program across the past four seasons.

Nov 1, 2014; Oxford, MS, USA; Auburn Tigers defensive lineman Gabe Wright (90) signals possession after a fumble recovery in the game against the Ole Miss Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Auburn defeated Ole Miss 35-31. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

The Columbus, Georgia native started 27 games in his career in orange and blue, including seven in 2014. A captain for the Tigers, Wright is a natural defensive tackle but dropped nearly 20 pounds prior to his senior season to play defensive end because of a lack of depth at the position.

Last season, Wright accumulated 24 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss and a sack in 13 games at both end and tackle. Each category showed a drop off from his numbers in 2013, and while it’s difficult to measure a defensive lineman’s production by stats – especially interior linemen – Wright had a solid yet unspectacular senior season.

As a junior, Wright had 31 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss and three sacks in 14 games, including 11 starts for the SEC Champions. The performance earned him All-SEC Honorable Mention honors form the Associated Press and made him a First Team All-SEC Pre-Season pick by the media.

What is His Current Draft Stock?

In January, ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay put Wright in a group of interior defensive linemen that could be a late pick on Day 2 (Rounds 2 and 3) or early on Day 3.

That grade is likely based more on Wright’s skill set and potential than his production at Auburn.

Wright is listed at 6-foot-3 and is expected to weigh in between 290 and 300 pounds at the NFL Combine, which is a bit heavier than his playing weight as a senior. Still, Wright is expected to be one of the quickest and most athletic defensive tackles in this year’s draft.

“One time my guy jumped me and I was able to flip my hips within a second and beat him around. Even I was surprised by how free I came,” Wright said at the conclusion of Senior Bowl practices in January. “But my explosiveness, the coaches have constantly told me that I’m the first one off the ball. They love my get-off. That’s some of the attributes that I have in a 4-3 defense like the Jaguars.”

Of course, he would make an ideal 3-4 defensive end as well. Simply put, Wright fits well into anyone’s defense, which makes him a very attractive option for many teams.

“I know I’m versatile enough to play both (the 3-4 and 4-3),” he said. ” … I see myself as a three-technique first. I’m explosive and I can get off. Once I fix the little things around getting to the ballcarrier, then everything else will take care of itself.”

What Can He Improve?

Wright has strength, athleticism and leadership, but the biggest knock on him currently is inconsistency. As Bleacher Report’s Ryan Riddle put it after the Senior Bowl:

"Gabe Wright was certainly impressive Saturday, but the story of his career has been defined by inconsistency and underachievement. He showed a similar pattern during his week at the Senior Bowl and also in this weekend’s game. But when Wright decided to turn it up, he really flashed the dominant traits you look for from a 3-technique defensive lineman."

With his collegiate career behind him, it’s nearly impossible to improve upon consistency before the draft, but doing so will make Wright a better pro.

NFL Combine Objective

Much like Cameron Artis-Payne must distinguish himself from the large group of running backs jockeying for draft position, Gabe Wright must do the same to separate himself from the many defensive tackles that could be selected anywhere from the second to fifth round.

The best way for Wright to make a statement is to show improved strength due to the weight he’s added while maintaining the explosiveness and athleticism he displayed when he was 15-20 pounds lighter.

If he does that, Wright has a chance to climb as high as the second round.

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