Miami Dolphins do exactly what you'd expect by trading for and drafting Tennessee Vols RB Jaylen Wright
The Miami Dolphins traded up with the Philadelphia Eagles to pick number 120 in the fourth round of the NFL Draft on Saturday afternoon. The Dolphins parted with a 2025 third round pick to claim the pick. With it, they selected Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright. Wright is an intriguing player for sure. He ran a […]
The Miami Dolphins traded up with the Philadelphia Eagles to pick number 120 in the fourth round of the NFL Draft on Saturday afternoon. The Dolphins parted with a 2025 third round pick to claim the pick.
With it, they selected Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright. Wright is an intriguing player for sure. He ran a 4.38 40-yard dash time and tested extremely well in the broad and vertical jumps. He was Vols' first running back since 2015 to reach 1000 yards rushing in 2023, going for 1013 yards with a blistering 7.4 yards per carry average. He's also perhaps the best pass protecting back in this draft, which matters with an offensive line that is suspect.
However, with all of the other needs on the roster, particularly on the offensive line, at tight end, a third wide receiver, and depth needs across other parts of the roster, the pick is certainly an interesting one.
Jaylen Wright's Scouting Report from A to Z Sports Film Room's James Foster
Strengths
- Just 397 career touches
- Elite speed & explosiveness. 2nd highest broad jump for a HB since 2003
- Recaptures burst out of jump-cuts & wins the edge instantly
- Absorbs hits & maintains stride through contact
- Good patience & lateral agility to set up blocks
- Decisive processing fits & attacking rushing lanes
- Can shed tacklers with a stiff-arm & maintain speed
- Nimble footwork to avoid ankle tackles
- Reliable hands & quick acceleration after the catch
- Good awareness in pass protection
Weaknesses
- Tennessee's offense provided abundant amounts of breathing room & space to break outside
- Faced an average box count of 5.92 in 2023
- Had 4 fumbles in 2022 (just 1 in 2023)
- Average elusiveness in the open field
- Rarely able to string multiple moves together
- Mediocre play strength & short-lived anchor in blitz pickup
- Would rather bounce everything outside than work between the tackles
At the end of the day, the trade and the pick fits with what the Dolphins do and who they are, for better or worse. Chris Grier is a general manager who doesn't value more picks. History says it's the opposite with him. And he parted with a relatively high pick – a third rounder – to take a third running back.
The Dolphins also value speed, speed, and more speed at perhaps the expense of other areas where they need to get better, particularly on the lines of scrimmage and having more quality depth on the defensive side of the ball. Wright is speed personified, just like De'Von Achane, Tyreek Hill, Raheem Mostert. He also is a force in the passing game. Ergo, he fits right in with what the Dolphins like and want to do. He's certainly a weapon.
I'm just not sure it's the right pick for a team that needs several other things.
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