2019 NFL Draft Profile: Defensive tackle Renell Wren

Renell Wren played 29 games in his ASU football career and established himself as an explosive pass rusher. He was one of two Sun Devils invited to the 2019 NFL Combine.

In four seasons under the lights at Sun Devil Stadium, Renell Wren made a name for himself. In the latter three, he was a key component to a front that consistently improved.

Wren posted 14.5 tackles for loss and 81 total tackles during his career in Tempe. As a senior, Wren was the leader up front for the newly-instituted 3-3-5 defensive scheme.

His leadership and ability to penetrate allowed him to garner national attention from draft scouts. Wren, along with N’Keal Harry, was one of two Sun Devils invited to the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine.

Strengths and Weaknesses

When it comes to strengths, most of Wren’s are regarding his physicality. At 6-foot-5 and 318 pounds, Wren is a physical specimen.

But what makes him most enticing is his athleticism. His 5.01 40-yard dash time was well above average for a defensive lineman, no less one of Wren’s size.

This deadly combination of size and speed allows him to penetrate through opposing offensive lines with ease.

According to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, Wren’s ceiling is relatively high. He gives Wren a 5.65 prospect rating, which means he has potential to become a dependable starter in the NFL. As far as draft projection, Zierlein sees Wren’s selection coming in the third or fourth round.

While Wren’s physicality is hard to argue against, there are some drawbacks. In his four seasons at ASU, his efficiency was inconsistent, and he often got caught behind move blocks.

That said, most of Wren’s evaluations believe the benefits will outweigh the negatives.

Potential Fits

For players drafted in the later rounds, it’s hard to predict where they will be selected. Often times, teams go outside their greatest needs to select the most talented players rather than going with the necessary selections.

But there are some teams in dire need of an interior defensive lineman. Some of these include the Buffalo Bills, Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots, among others.

Even if Wren isn’t polished enough to start on day one, it’s never a problem to have depth up front. With his size and aggression, Wren could be a hidden gem for whichever team selects him in the upcoming draft.