Milton Wright played on the boundary at Purdue, but I wonder if he has the speed to hold up out there currently. He missed the 2022 season due to academics and was on pace to miss 2023 for the same reason. At this point, there are too many concerns regarding Wright and his abilities on the field, which means that I wouldn’t expect him to be drafted in the Supplement Draft unless there is a proper scheme fit.
Is there a proper scheme fit with a need in the Supplement Draft? Absolutely, and I want to talk about that team and how they could use them once we get through the brunt of the report.
Supplement Draft Prospect: WR Milton Wright, Purdue
HT: 6021
WT: 195
DOB: 9/28/2000
Year: Super Redshirt Junior
High School: Christian Academy (Louisville, KY)
HS Rating: 4-star (91.90)
Started 2020-2021 seasons, played in the rotation in 2019.
Milton Wright 40 Time
Projected 40 Time: 4.65 seconds
I don’t know what kind of upside Milton presents because he’s not in a position to really display that. He missed the 2022 season due to academics, so it’s been a while since he has played football. That hurts his case for the upside projected and what will be realized. I think he’s a limited athlete, which is damning to his forward projection.
The biggest thing that stands out about Milton to me is that he’s a crisp route-runner despite an underwhelming athletic skillset. Milton’s route-running ability is special, as he manipulates and sets up defenders well while running timing concepts. He’s not so much a deep threat as he is working the short to intermediate areas of the field, and he uses his body as a shield at the catch point very well.
The problems I foresee with Wright start with the evolution of the receiver position. Wright isn’t a dynamic athlete after the catch, which at his size isn’t something that helps his case. He’s not going to pick up yardage after the catch consistently. He’s a subpar athlete at the position, so can he start on the boundary, or is he confined to the slot? As a run blocker, he was pulled off of the field on most run-downs, and he’s subpar. There are some severe issues with his fit on most NFL teams.
Where does Milton Wright fit right now?
I mentioned leading into the article that I thought there was a scheme fit for Milton right now. I think there is a team with a glaring need that could use his skillset as soon as this year – the Tennessee Titans.
DeAndre Hopkins is making his free agency tour across the NFL right now, but the teams looking at him want him to decide before the Supplement Draft. I would too. Do I have him coming to my team, or do I need to pursue other options? Hopkins is leaving that up in the air, and if he does too long, teams will be forced to make decisions that don’t include him.
The Titans have been looking for someone who can dominate in their offense like AJ Brown did – where he really thrived in the intermediate areas of the field and used his size to leverage and body defenders away from the catch point. Brown and Wright have that in common. The difference is that Brown is miles beyond Wright as a natural athlete.
However, Robert Woods was able to be somewhat productive (outside of injuries) while he was in Tennessee. The Titans drafted Treylon Burks with the hope that he would replace Brown, but a season full of injuries kept Burks cycling on and off of the field. Wright could be that Robert Woods-type weapon on this team next year on a roster lacking tremendous depth at the talent at that position.
What is he worth spending to acquire?
I think the sixth round is the earliest he will go (if he does). First, the Supplement Draft is less valuable than it used to be. With the USFL and the XFL starting up over the last few seasons, they have helped with late off-season additions to 90-man rosters and assisting teams in finding impact players. With all of the receiver talent currently in those leagues, is Wright an upgrade over any of them?
The next issue that I see is that Wright hasn’t played football since 2021. That’s a long break without any ball. He worked out at the Purdue pro day this offseason, assisting with Aidan O’Connell’s pro day as a receiver. That pro day doesn’t equal a live game’s speed or physicality.
I would pass on Milton Wright if I were anyone but Tennessee. We don’t know what he is because it’s been so long since he has played, and there aren’t too many teams where he makes the 53-man roster.
My projection: 7th Round.