Scooby

Wright III

Wright is back after being among Arizona’s final cuts. He adds linebacker depth with Deone Bucannon out for Week 1.

“Scooby plays with the effort that we like,” Holland continued. “He has heart. He works hard. He wants to be good. He comes to work every day. He’s a lunch-pail guy, and we like those kind of guys.” Wright nearly went undrafted because of poor measurables. He’s small (6'/240) and timed slow in the forty (4.90) with a mediocre 31-inch vertical. Wright seems like a perfect guy to earn his early keep on special teams. He’s drawn loose Zach Thomas comparisons.

Per Profootballtalk, Wright will be signed to the practice squad if he clears waivers. Wright was a star college player at the University of Arizona, but was picked after 249 other players in the draft. The fact that he can’t hang on the Browns’ absurdly bad 53-man roster as he develops bodes poorly for his NFL future.

Wright has spent the last few months on Cleveland’s practice squad. The seventh-round pick will give the Cardinals some linebacker depth over the final three weeks.

Wright was a “name” player in college, but missed the majority of 2015 with foot and knee issues. He disappointed at the Combine with a 4.90 40-yard dash and 31-inch vertical. Wright is an instinctual player with a non-stop motor, but his path to snaps on defense will be through ace special teams play.

A 2015 seventh-round pick, Wright spent the last two years between the Cardinals and Browns. His college production has never carried over to the NFL. Wright should draw practice squad interest.

Wright (6'0/239) turned pro after three years at U of A, amassing 42 career tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks and six forced fumbles across 29 starts. Wright earned 2014’s Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year before missing all but three games as a 2015 true junior with a torn lateral meniscus and sprained foot. His Combine measurables disappointed, running 4.90 with a 31-inch vertical. In college, Wright overcame his limitations with instincts, quickness and a hair-on-fire playing demeanor. Before earning any defensive snaps in the NFL, Wright will have to pay special-teams dues first.