Why former Tennessee star Jaylen Wright is in for all-or-nothing role with Dolphins in 2024

The Miami Dolphins are always on a need for speed, so it wasn't shocking they walked out of the 2024 NFL Draft with Jaylen Wright. The former Tennessee Volunteer was one of the most athletic running backs in the class, boasting 4.38 speed and one of the best production profiles of any ball-carrier. But will Wright impact the NFL's most explosive offense as a rookie?

Jaylen Wright's Role with the Dolphins in 2024

The Dolphins didn't just invest a 2024 fourth-round pick into Wright since they traded a 2025 third-round pick to be in position for him. This is a significant move in terms of capital for a team that had just taken De'Von Achane in the third round of the 2023 draft and re-signed veteran Raheem Mostert. At face value, it's hard to imagine Wright has room to produce when backs other than Mostert and Achane had only 84 carries last season.

However, Wright's profile and film are fantastic. It's easy to see why Miami liked him so much. I had him pegged as a third-round pick in mocks, and he's a natural fit in Miami's zone-based run game. One cut and he can be gone, much like Achane.

The 21-year-old averaged 7.4 yards per carry in 2023, and more impressively, 4.35 yards after initial contact. His speed and agility allowed him to break 43 tackles and rack up 592 yards after contact. His 210-pound frame helped give him contact balance.

His athletic profile backed up his tape. His 9.81 RAS score reflected elite explosiveness traits and pure speed. It was never doubted, but his power and speed combination is rare. Of the 15 backs in college football with 19 or more runs of 15-plus yards, none had fewer than 150 rushing attempts.

So, okay, Tennessee fans know this already, and Miami's tendencies for creative talents are well-known. But Wright's key to playing time is his third-down ability. In 58 pass protection snaps last year, he allowed only one QB hit and three pressures. 

Achane can't give that same level of impact on passing downs and was asked only to pass-block once last season. And with Mostert turning 32 years old, it's reasonable to expect some platoon role. Even if Achane plays more than the 11 games he was healthy for in 2023, Moster's career season is unlikely to be repeated.

Raheem Mostert's and De'Von Achane's Health

The elephant in the room for Wright's 2024 outlook is the health of his peers. Achane averaged a historic 7.8 yards per carry on 103 touches, but his missed time crushed his momentum. His positional versatility may also open the door for Wright to play, as he lined up as a receiver on 33% of snaps. 

Wright's strength is also an x-factor. Miami stunk on short-yardage situations last year, and Wright has the best power of the backs Miami has, despite Mostert's bigger upper body. Mostert will get his fair share of opportunities because he's a veteran coming off an 18-touchdown season, but Wright and Achane are the more gifted talents and future of the backfield.

Jaylen Wright's OTA Reps Are Important

The battle for playing time starts now. Wright's ability to quickly pick up Miami's offense and provide dependable reps will earn him more looks in September. That might be obvious, but the Dolphins haven't been strangers to working in young players when they earn it.

If he can't make the most of his reps and his peers stay healthy, Wright might take close to a redshirt role throughout 2024. He's a boom-or-bust player as a rookie because there's a proven rotation in front of him. However, both Mostert's and Achane's fragility and limitations has Wright in a terrific position long-term.