Gabe Wright, a Defensive Tackle from Auburn, is another best player available draft selection that fills a need at the same time. The Lions opened the draft with a bang, and not long into the draft, decided to trade up for a pick they lost in the Haloti Ngata trade by giving up next years third round draft selection, which could be replaced with a compensatory selection from the loss of Ndamukong Suh. He had a solid bench press, getting a top performer honor on NFL.com with 34 reps. It was rumored the New England Patriots were considering taking him on day two, but he fell to day three when the Detroit Lions scooped him up instead, filling the biggest hole in their defense after cornerback Alex Carter was selected in the third round. 

In this year's combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, he had a 5.07 forty yard dash, which is average for a defensive tackle, but he isn't known for his physical measureables, as he came in to Indianapolis at 6'3", 300 pounds. He is just another Lions prospect who has done well and improved their stock at the Senior Bowl, as the Lions have used the Senior Bowl quite well in Martin Mayhew's tenure, including another first line defensive lineman, Ziggy Ansah.

Wright will be expected to fill the role of another DT from Auburn, Nick Fairley, who signed with the St. Louis Rams this off-season. Wright is known for his explosive first step, of which is highly praised as one of the best in this years draft class, as he gets off the snap extremely well. He also plays with great leverage, and remains effective when he's double teamed. He is also effective both against the run and the pass, as he gets through the gaps in the run game and has a decent spin move in the pass rush. The one thing that he needs to work on most is his on field awareness, as he does not read plays very well. On running plays, he could disengage earlier and attack the ball, and on passing plays he could go harder for the sack using more motor, but working with a Lions staff who has done extremely well developing defensive lineman in recent years, he is in a good position to succeed in Detroit.