Pros, cons of Miami Dolphins picking Tennessee football’s Jaylen Wright in 2024 NFL Draft

Tennessee football running back Jaylen Wright is officially an NFL rookie after being picked by the Miami Dolphins in the 2024 NFL draft on Saturday.

He was selected No. 120 overall in the fourth round. Here's what Wright brings to the Dolphins based on his career with the Tennessee Vols.

What Jaylen Wright brings to Miami Dolphins in 2024 NFL Draft

Wright is an explosive runner. He clocked 4.38 seconds in the 40, the second fastest time among running backs at the combine. That is why he stacked up long runs and a high yards-per-carry average (7.4) at Tennessee.

Wright’s game is on the rise. He took large strides as an inside runner and pass protector throughout his Tennessee career. And he touts mostly untapped potential as a receiver out of the backfield.

Add that to his proven breakaway speed, and it’s easy to see how Wright is projected as an every-down running back in the NFL. He just turned 21 years old, and his best football is likely ahead of him.

Jaylen Wright highlights, strengths, weaknesses at Tennessee

To see Wright’s breakaway speed, just watch Wright’s 75-yard TD run on the first play against Georgia.

He also touts a powerful compact frame and a violent running style after contact. He rushed for 1,013 yards last season. But he averaged fewer than 11 carries per game in his career in a deep backfield rotation, so he has plenty of tread left on his tires.

But Wright is a north-south runner who often makes one jump cut and then accelerates, so he might struggle making numerous cuts and adjusting his vision on inside runs.

He also had fumbling issues in the 2022 season because he didn’t take enough contact during the preseason. He cleaned that up last season, but it’ll be something watch early in his NFL career.

Jaylen Wright stats with Tennessee

Wright rushed for 1,013 yards and four TDs on 137 carries in the 2023 season. He also had 22 receptions for 141 yards.

In 2022, he rushed for 875 yards and 10 TDs.

Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Emailadam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

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