'I think it's a steal for Cleveland,' UAB defensive coordinator on Browns DE Alex Wright

One of the first things to notice about Browns third-round draft choice (No. 78 overall) Alex Wright is that his size belies his demeanor, at least off the field.

No one should take that as a sign of timidity. It’s football, after all.

“He's a very soft spoken, unassuming, humble person,” David Reeves, defensive coordinator at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, said during a phone conversation. "Now, when the lid goes on, he's a fierce competitor. I mean, when the lid goes on, he's two different guys — when he is on the field, and when he is off the field. And I think that's one of the other reasons that make people just fall in love with him so much.”

Mutual affection between Browns, Alex Wright

The Browns certainly did, General Manager Andrew Berry said.

“With Alex, he was really a favorite across the organization – scouts, coaches and our research and strategy group. We like him because he is a player who profiles as what we call a big end or a strong-side end, but with Alex, he really has the versatility to rush outside and inside.

“We love his frame. We love his ability to rush the passer. This is a guy who when we brought him in for a 30 visit, everybody just spoke glowingly. He is very driven, he is very smart and a very humble individual and we think he is a player who can really grow into the ideal big end for us and rush inside and out. We are excited to have him. He is a perfect scheme fit for our defense.”

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The feeling was mutual. Wright called his in-person visit to the Browns his favorite, mentioning he enjoyed seeing everyone again, including equipment staff.

“Just the vibe around everybody,” he said when asked about his comfort level. “You could tell it was genuine, and you could tell I really felt like I was wanted here. Just being able to sit down and talk with everybody about not just football but about, life also, outside of football. That is what kind of stood out to me.”

The reality of the 2022 NFL Draft

Wright could represent an example of the Browns, who were without selections in the first and second rounds, playing the long game with respect to player development. He played for a small high school in Alabama and came to Reeves and his defensive staff raw and he, Reeves said, still has untapped potential.

“I think it's a steal for Cleveland, because I think a lot of guys were trying to talk him into coming back one more year,” Reeves said. “His best football is still in front of him.”

Reeves also believes Wright hasn’t filled out his 6-foot-6, 270-pound frame.

“I'm going to be honest, I'm not sure that he's done growing,” he said. “I'm not sure that we're not going to look up in a couple years, and he's going to be 295 pounds, and just be a true inside guy with edge rushing capabilities. That wouldn't surprise me at all.”

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That is how Glenn Cook, Browns vice president of player personnel, sees Wright.

“He came into UAB at 210 pounds. He is 270 pounds now. Yeah, he still has room to grow. There is a lot of clay to work with there,” he said. “We are going to get him with our sports science group and with the coaching staff and see what his best weight is and go from there. We are excited about what he could be.”

Browns parlay development into versatility

Berry said the team sees Wright as eventually being a three-down player as he progresses. Any physical enhancement could allow him to also play inside. Reeves can see that.

“I think it's that versatility that's made him so valuable, and really kept his skill set growth,” Reeves said. “I mean, he does have that nastiness about him.”

Cook said that Wright’s length enhances his versatility. The ability to move inside at times is something the team asks of its defensive ends, including Myles Garrett and current free agent Jadeveon Clowney. He said he sees the possibility of Wright being able to make the adjustment.

“I think some of the opportunities he did get to do it, he really displayed the potential, the ability and the effectiveness as an interior pass rusher. We put a ton of value on being able to keep people inside, especially in some of our ends – you see Jadeveon do it and Myles do it. It is pretty exciting to see if he has similar potential.”

Alex Wright a Jedi trainee

Wright will also have a seemingly willing Garrett to provide some insight.

“We are very fortunate to have Myles Garrett,” Berry said. “He is one of the best in the game and can really model the work ethic needed to be at the top of the profession. Young players in that position group are very fortunate, and we certainly do not take it for granted either.”

Reeves appreciates the situation in which Wright will find himself. Practically speaking, if he earns a spot in the rotation, the opportunity to make plays will be there because of Garrett’s presence.

"The other thing I think about coming in with a guy like Myles Garrett, is all Myles Garrett will have to offer him as a young player coming into the league, because that's who Alex is.

"He's a guy that wants to learn. He's a guy that wants to be a student of the game. He's a guy that wants to take it all in, and learn everything there is to learn, and take all the help that everybody's there to offer him. So he's a definite team guy, we were fortunate to have him."

Reach George M. Thomas at gthomas@thebeaconjournal.com or on Twitter @ByGeorgeThomas.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Former coach, Browns laud defensive end Alex Wright's versatility