The former Vol standout has a new football home.
Former Tennessee Vols running back Jaylen Wright is taking his talents to South Beach. The Miami Dolphins took the talented runner with the 120th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Dolphins actually traded with the Philadelphia Eagles to go get Wright and paid a high price to do it: a 2025 third rounder.
Wright steps into a situation where won’t be called on to be the man. In fact, he will step in as the third running back in a crowded and talented running back room. Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane were perhaps the best running back tandem in the country last year. Mostert ran for 1018 yards and a staggering 18 touchdowns in 2023 while also adding 25 catches for 175 yards and 3 more scores. Mostert is signed through the 2025 season.
Achane was one of the most electric rookies of the 2023 season. He ran for 800 yards (7.8 yards per carry!!!) and 8 touchdowns with 27 catches for 197 receiving yards and 3 more touchdowns. He just finished his rookie season.
In other words, that’s a LOT of talent and production that Wright will be joining. Mostert and Achane were the best running back tandem in the NFL last year. As such, the opportunity to see the field quickly might not be the highest that it could have been at other destinations.
However, Wright could be a long-term answer alongside Achane for Miami down the road. Mostert is 31 and wouldn’t be a massive cap hit if the Dolphins let him go after 2024.
Miami is a team clearly built on speed, perhaps as much as any team in the NFL. In that vein, Wright should fit in like a glove. He will also fit well in Mike McDaniel’s offense, which thrived last year on getting the ball to its quick playmakers in space and let them use their athleticism to turn in big plays. That does suit Wright to a T.
We’ll find out in a few months when training camp gets underway how quickly Wright will stake his claim to a part of the Dolphins’ offense.