Tag: Jaylen Wright

WATCH: Jaylen Wright learns he’s joining the Dolphins

Jaylen Wright was emotional when he found out he was joining the team at the top of his wish list.

The Miami Dolphins felt strongly about running back Jaylen Wright.

So much so that they gave up a third-round pick in 2025 to vault into the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft to take Wright at No. 120 overall.

Fortunately for all parties, Wright was pumped about it too. In a videos posted by the Dolphins, the emotions pouring out of Wright can be heard on the other side of the phone while he was talking to coach Mike McDaniel on Saturday.

Another video posted by the Tennessee Volunteers football program showed the celebration at Wright’s home shortly after the call ended.

“That was the team I really wanted to go to, which is crazy,” Wright told reporters later on Saturday. “It was the best visit I had. I’m just glad to have the opportunity to come out in South Beach and help make a difference in the team, help add that explosive element.”

Wright averaged 7.4 yards per carry during his final season at Tennessee.

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WATCH: Highlights of Dolphins 4th-round draft pick Jaylen Wright

Jaylen Wright was a big-play machine for the Tennessee Volunteers.

Jaylen Wright was a highlight machine for the Tennessee Volunteers.

The new Miami Dolphins running back, selected with the No. 120 overall selection in the 2024 NFL draft, averaged 7.4 yards per carry during his junior season before forgoing his senior year. Five times in the last two seasons, he broke free for at least 50 yards.

And like just about every other Dolphins skill-position player, Wright is fast. He put down a 4.38 40-yard dash time at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine at 210 pounds.

Wright can absolutely hit the gas when he sees a seam, which could make an exciting pairing with De’Von Achane for the foreseeable future in the Miami backfield.

While the Dolphins weren’t particularly needy at the position with Raheem Mostert already on the team, it might not be long before Wright becomes the team’s featured back. A look at his highlights can get Miami fans excited about that possibility in no time:

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Dolphins trade away 2025 3rd-round draft pick to Eagles

The Dolphins went into their 2025 draft picks to get into the fourth round this year.

The Miami Dolphins parted with a 2025 third-round pick Saturday to get the fourth-round pick they were missing in the 2024 NFL draft. With the newly acquired No. 120 overall selection from the Philadelphia Eagles, the Dolphins picked Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright.

While it’s not exactly a cheap move, it’s also not a surprising one for the Dolphins.

After losing both defensive tackle Christian Wilkins and offensive lineman Robert Hunt to nine-digit contracts in free agency, the Dolphins are assuredly getting third-round compensatory picks for both players.

While they don’t have those picks yet, the Dolphins could reasonably expect to have five selections in the top 100 of the 2025 NFL draft. By parting with one of those to land Wright, Miami is still set to have three selections on Day 2 next year.

Wright ran a 4.38 40-yard dash at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine and broke away for five 50-plus yard rushes in the last two seasons with the Volunteers.

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Dolphins pick Tennessee RB Jaylen Wright at No. 120 in 2024 NFL draft

Jaylen Wright has 4.38 speed and is the latest speedy weapon added to an already speedy offense in Miami.

The Miami Dolphins picked Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright with the No. 120 overall pick in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft.

Miami entered Saturday without a fourth-round selection after dealing one away as part of the package that brought Bradley Chubb to town from the Denver Broncos. According to Field Yates of ESPN, it cost the Dolphins a third-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft to get the selection to take Wright.

At Tennessee, Wright averaged an excellent 7.4 yards per carry during the 2023 season and broke five runs for at least 50 yards in the last two seasons.

Wright put together huge numbers at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine too where the 5’11, 210-pound running back put down a blazing 4.38 40-yard dash time with a 38-inch vertical.

The Dolphins are set to make four more picks in the 2024 NFL draft with No. 158 overall in the fifth round up next following the selection of Wright.

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Jaylen Wright selected by Miami in 2024 NFL draft

Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright selected by Miami in 2024 NFL draft.

The 2024 NFL draft is taking place Thursday-Saturday around Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit, Michigan.

Former Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright was selected by Miami in the fourth round (No. 120 overall) on Saturday.

Wright appeared in 34 games for the Vols from 2021-23. He recorded 2,297 rushing yards, 18 rushing touchdowns, 30 receptions and 171 receiving yards at Tennessee.

In 2023, Wright recorded the 19th 1,000-yard rushing season in Tennessee program history. He became the first Vol to total 1,000 rushing yards in a season since Jalen Hurd in 2015. The 5-foot-10.5, 210-pound running back also reached 1,000 rushing yards in a single season faster than any other player in Tennessee program history.

Wright produced eight 100-yard rushing games during his Vols’ career.

He went to Tennessee from Southern High School in Durham, North Carolina.

READ: 2024 NFL draft pick-by-pick analysis

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

NFL draft bio for running back Jaylen Wright

Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright is projected as a 2024 NFL draft pick.

The 2024 NFL draft will take place Thursday-Saturday around Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit, Michigan.

Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright is projected as a 20024 NFL draft pick.

Wright played for the Vols from 2021-23.

During his junior season and final campaign at Tennessee, Wright was named All-SEC by the Associated Press.

He started all 12 regular-season games and totaled a career best 1,013 rushing yards. Wright averaged 7.39 yards per rushing attempts, leading all FBS running backs and was second to LSU quarterback and Heisman Memorial Trophy winner Jayden Daniels.

Wright recorded six 100-yard rushing games in 2023.

In 2022, he led the Vols in rushing yards (875) and scored 10 touchdowns on 146 attempts. Wright also recoded 538 rushing yards after contact.

As a freshman in 2021, Wright appeared in nine games and recorded 409 yards and four touchdowns on 89 rushing attempts. He led all SEC freshmen in rushing yards during November (259).

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 17, Tennessee RB Jaylen Wright

Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers just gave Josh Jacobs a four-year deal and is likely the No. 1 running back at 1265 Lombardi Avenue for the foreseeable future. AJ Dillon is back on a one-year deal and at this moment is a safe bet to be part of the running back rotation. 

With 11 picks at his disposal, Brian Gutekunst will likely be on the lookout for a running back to team with those two veterans. 

A potential target is Jaylen Wright. The Tennessee running back checks in at No. 17 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.

A three-star recruit out of North Carolina, Wright rushed for 409 yards and four touchdowns during his first season on campus. The following season Wright rushed for 875 yards and 10 touchdowns. 

This past season Wright rushed for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns. He added 22 receptions for 141 yards. 

“There are two sides to this coin. In one sense, he was extremely important to Tennessee’s offense last season,” Ryan Schumpert, a Tennessee reporter for Rocky Top Insider, said. “Wright was definitely the Vols’ best playmaker and in a season where Tennessee’s passing game took a sizable step back, the junior running back was so important to the success that they did have on that side of the ball. On the other hand, Tennessee still deployed a true “running back by committee” system and Wright only averaged 11.4 carries per game. But that makes Wright totaling 1,013 yards in 12 games all the more impressive. He was the first Tennessee running back to reach that mark since 2015. That lighter workload should bode well for his professional career too.”

Wright has a unique blend of size and speed. The former track star has home run ability and clocked a 4.38 40-yard dash at 210 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine. This past season he averaged 7.4 yards per carry and 35 of his 137 rushing attempts went for 10-plus yards. 

The Tennessee running back is quick-footed and explodes through the hole. He makes sharp, controlled lateral cuts. Once he clears the hole he’s able to reach top gear in a blur. 

While his speed is his calling card, he has good contact balance and can shake off would-be tacklers. According to Pro Football Focus, Wright racked up 592 yards after contact and forced 43 missed tackles. 

“It’s hard to pinpoint one specific strength because he is so balanced as a runner,” Schumpert said.  That was the cool part to watch about his three years at Tennessee. Wright was a high school track star who played at a small high school in North Carolina. As a freshman, he wanted to run around opponents and to truly lean on his speed. But he gained weight and became a very comfortable and effective runner between the tackles. He can get the tough yards between the tackles and has the strength that makes it difficult for defensive backs to tackle him while not losing the top-end speed. Wright’s 4.38 40-yard dash time shows that as did his breakaway 75-yard touchdown run against Georgia.”

During his first two seasons on campus, Wright hauled in eight receptions for 30 yards. This past season the former three-star recruit looked more comfortable as a receiver. With his track speed, Wright is a dangerous threat to take a screen to the house. While teams won’t be lining him up in the slot, he’s shown steady improvement as a pass catcher out of the backfield.

“This is another area where Wright improved throughout his college career,” Schumpert said. “Unfortunately, that improvement was from a running back who couldn’t do anything out of the backfield as a receiver to one that was capable of catching screens and some check-downs. Maybe he keeps improving there but I don’t envision him being much of a threat as a receiver out of the backfield in the NFL.”

Fit with the Packers

The Packers could stand to add some home run hitter in the backfield to pair with Jacobs and Dillon. With his speed and strength, Wright is a threat to rip off an explosive play every time he touches the ball and could be an ideal change of pace back in Green Bay’s backfield.

“How complete of a ball carrier he is,” Schumpert said. “I’m not sure there’s a better true runner in this draft class. He fully has the capability to be a No. 1 running back on a roster. If his time at Tennessee is any indication, he’s going to continue to get better.”

Wright led the Volunteers in rushing the past two seasons and did so in 2022, despite not being the starter. With his speed and ability to rip off explosive plays, Wright would appear to be the ideal third running back to pair with Jacobs and Dillon.

Wright is only 21 years old and he’s arguably one of the most explosive backs in the draft. Adding him to Green Bay’s young nucleus would give Matt LaFleur another weapon to play with.

Three Vols projected to be selected in seven-round NFL mock draft

Three Vols are projected to be selected in ESPN’s latest seven-round NFL mock draft.

The 2024 NFL draft will take place April 25-27 around Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit, Michigan.

Three former Vols took part in the NFL scouting combine ahead of the draft: Quarterback Joe Milton III, running back Jaylen Wright and defensive back Kamal Hadden. 321 prospects were invited to attend the NFL scouting combine, including 75 players from the Southeastern Conference.

Wright, Hadden and Milton III are projected to be selected in ESPN’s latest NFL mock draft from Matt Miller.

Wright is projected as the No. 80 overall pick by Cincinnati, while Miller has Hadden as the No. 169 selection by Green Bay. The Jets are projected to take Milton III at pick No. 256.

Jaylen Wright. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Jaylen Wright, Tennessee

One word best defines Wright’s game: explosive.

A three-star prep footballer and sprinter, Tennessee Volunteers running back Jaylen Wright enters the NFL after three promising seasons.

He finished his FBS career with a hearty 7.4 yards-per-carry average and an increased role as a receiving outlet, but Wright’s scoring rate drastically plummeted. It’s not entirely his fault as the Air Raid design saw Wright take every single one of his 137 carries from shotgun formation. Wright’s 1,154 offensive yards ranked eighth in the SEC last year, and his 10 ground scores as a sophomore finished fourth in the conference the prior season.

Height: 5-foot-10 1/2
Weight: 210 pounds
40 time: 4.38 seconds

To bolster a strong junior year, he is coming off a showing at the NFL Scouting Combine that only confirmed his elite athleticism. Wright posted a ridiculous 11-foot-2 broad jump to go along with a blistering 40-yard time and a 38 1/2-inch vertical. The 15.18 mph speed at the 5-yard mark of his 40 was the fastest burst among all backs at the combine over the past two events, according to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats.

Table: RB Jaylen Wright, Tennessee (2021-23)

Year School Class Gm Att Yds Avg TD Rec Yds TD
*2021 Tenn Fr 9 85 409 4.8 4 6 22 0
*2022 Tenn So 13 146 875 6.0 10 2 8 0
*2023 Tenn Jr 12 137 1,013 7.4 4 22 141 0
Total 34 368 2,297 6.2 18 30 171 0
*includes postseason/bowl games (stats from Sports Reference)

Pros

  • Elite explosiveness and breakaway ability — his short-area burst jumps off the screen, and Wright has a second year in the open field
  • Quality contact balance and the ability go through in addition to around defenders
  • Hardly any mileage on his odometer and enters the NFL after freshly turning 21 years old — plenty of upside for growth and years of starting-level contributions
  • Drastically improved his ball security after four fumbles in 2022 — only one lost ball this past season while setting a personal high in touches (159)
  • Can’t teach Wright’s patience and feel for the play unfolding
  • Despite being known for his big plays, he’s a capable banger up the gut and has been effective in this way
  • Better receiver than the stats suggest — natural receiver and looked smooth during an increased aerial role in 2023

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Cons

  • Limited experience in diverse rushing designs after playing in an Air Raid system — so many runs out of shotgun inherently results in facing thin defensive fronts
  • Far too many fumbles per touch in 2022 — as mentioned above, he cleaned up his act in 2023 but it’s worth keeping an eye on
  • Not adept at stacking moves and isn’t all that loose in the hips — more of a one-cut-and-go type
  • Could refine his technique and identification in pass protection
  • Mostly inexperienced as a route runner

Fantasy football outlook

An absolute nightmare if he gets into the secondary, Wright excels in a zone attack, particularly on stretch plays. He has three-down potential at the next level but may be eased into that kind of role as the lightning in a one-two punch. An interesting landing spot would have been Washington to pair him with new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury in partnership with a bulldozing Brian Robinson Jr., but the Austin Ekeler signing throws that out the window. Drafting Wright makes sense for Denver, Baltimore, San Francisco, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Las Vegas, Minnesota, New York Giants, and the Los Angeles Chargers, among others.

All of his positives point toward a Day 2 selection in April’s 2024 NFL Draft. Regardless of where Wright ends up, his long-range outlook tops out as a fringe RB1 or strong No. 2 in fantasy, and his floor is somewhere in the short-term utility neighborhood. Should he get a chance to immediately challenge for a starting spot, there’s legit RB3 or better value in 2024 fantasy drafts.

The Xs and Os with Greg Cosell: What does the scouting combine really mean?

In this week’s “Xs and Os with Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar,” the guys get into what the scouting combine really means for NFL teams and top draft prospects.

Once the scouting combine is over every year — and this year’s version concluded last week — NFL scouts, coaches and personnel executives are left with reams of new information to deal with, and to add to their previous evaluations.

So, what does that really mean? And what can a great combine performance really do for a draft prospect? For example, Texas receiver Xavier Worthy broke the combine record with a 4.1-second 40-yard dash. If he already plays extremely fast on the field, what does that add to his evaluation? Or if a player like Washington left tackle Troy Fautanu aces all his drills and crushes it in the meeting rooms with NFL teams, how does he really come out the other side in the minds of the people who are set to select him in the 2024 NFL draft?

In this week’s “Xs and Os with Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar,” the guys get into what the scouting combine really means, their individual experiences at this year’s event, and how drill work really matches up to game tape and NFL transitions for multiple top prospects.

You can watch this week’s “Xs and Os” right here:

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You can also listen and subscribe to the “Xs and Os” podcast on Spotify…

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