Grading the 2023 Chicago Bears rookie class after their first regular season

Now that the Chicago Bears 2023 season is over it is a good time to look back at the rookie class and grade how the first year players adjusted to the NFL. This is the second draft class that Ryan Poles is responsible for, but considering his limited resources in that draft, this was his most significant class. How did it turn out?

Chicago Bears Round 1 Darnell Wright

Overall, the Chicago Bears have to be pleased with the way that Darnell Wright handled himself as a rookie. First, he did not have the easiest run of pass rushers to face. From Rashan Gary to Shaq Barrett, Montez Sweat, Danielle Hunter, Cameron Jordan, Joey Bosa, Maxx Crosby, Aidan Hutchinson, and more, he saw some of the toughest edge rushers in the NFL. Obviously, there were issues, but overall, the future looks bright. 

Wright appears to have been banged up in the week seven win against the Raiders. He played through it and had a solid game against Maxx Crosby, but he went from ascension to just holding things down, if not seeing his play drop off a bit. 

Still, playing through the injury displayed a lot of toughness, and he was still passable throughout his rookie season. He has the physical traits, and some of his technical issues appear to be fixable. The arrow is pointed up for Darnell Wright.

Darnell Wright first half grade: A