Rookie Profile: Jaylen Wright, Running Back, Miami Dolphins
Welcome to the Rookie Profile: Jaylen Wright, a 3-star running back recruit out of Durham, North Carolina. Though his playing career was cut short at Southern Durham High School was cut short due to COVID-19, Wright did enough to commit to the University of Tennessee.
As a Volunteer, Wright was limited to starting his freshman season. However, he ended up dominating touches toward the end of that year and moved into a prominent role in his sophomore and junior seasons. Even while splitting touches, Wright has proven to become the superior threat out of the Tennessee backfield. And, in his final two collegiate seasons, he ran the ball 283 times for 1888 yards and 14 touchdowns. But, even more impressive is the 6.7 yards per carry he accumulated. In 2023, he finished third in the nation in yards per carry behind only quarterback and Heisman winner Jayden Daniels and West Virginia RB Jahiem White.
It’s likely Wright will be a sought-after commodity in the NFL Draft as a prospect with supreme upside due to his elite speed.
Measurables
Draft Capital & Landing Spot
Draft Capital- Round 4, 120th Overall
- As the fifth running back taken in the 2024 NFL Draft, Wright’s upside is evident. He should be guaranteed a role on the team in his rookie season, even if it’s just on special teams. And, should he impress early, the Dolphins could find ways to use him situationally to get him acclimated to game speed at the next level.
Landing Spot- Miami Dolphins
- Wright couldn’t have landed in a better spot given the success of running backs in Mike McDaniel’s scheme. Although Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane remain firmly ahead of him on the depth chart, Mostert’s advanced age means he isn’t long for the league. Once he retires, a formidable dual-threat attack of Achane and Wright could be devastating for opposing defenses.
- Wright is a longer term fantasy play as a result of where he went, but one who could pay off huge down the line.
Team Depth Chart
Expected Role: Situational Running Back
Depth Chart via Fantasy Pros
Fantasy Impact
Wright is the type of player you draft and hold. The good news is that he’s likely to retain his value for longer than usual as he patiently waits his turn in Miami. He has the type of upside pick you covet in the 3rd round of your rookie drafts.
Although it’s unlikely to happen in year one barring injury, Wright’s value is appealing and so is his fantasy ceiling. Should he hit earlier than expected, he could be a massive value given his current ADP.
Check out our 2024 Rookie Rankings Page for a full breakdown of this rookie class.
