Former NFL general manager has strong words about former Tennessee Vols RB Jaylen Wright

Jaylen Wright had special 2023 season for the Tennessee Vols.  It appears that more folks in NFL circles are beginning to realize what Vol fans have known for a while: that Wright is a special talent.  Former Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman has a very complimentary view of the former Vol […]

Craig Smith — College Football & NFL Trending News Writer
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Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright (0) runs for a touchdown in the opening minutes of the game during a football game between Tennessee and Georgia at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

Jaylen Wright had special 2023 season for the Tennessee Vols.  It appears that more folks in NFL circles are beginning to realize what Vol fans have known for a while: that Wright is a special talent. 

Former Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman has a very complimentary view of the former Vol ballcarrier, according to The 33rd Team.  

Wright really broke out last fall for Tennessee, becoming the first 1000-yard runner for Tennessee since Jalen Hurd in 2015.  He averaged a very impressive 7.4 yards per carry for the year.  In Wright's three seasons at Tennessee, he increased his average yards per carry and rushing yardage total significantly each season, going from 4.8 to 6.0 to 7.4 yards per rush over his career.  

For those who hadn't learned about Wright's abilities in 2023, they certainly did in Indianapolis at the NFL Combine in February. Wright ran a blazing 4.38 40-yard dash, the second fastest time among all running backs.  He also had one of the longest broad jumps ever by a running back at the Combine at 11 feet 2 inches to go with a 38-inch vertical jump. 

Aside from the physical tools, it's Wright's improved vision as a ballcarrier that also contributed to his success in 2023, which Josh Heupel commented on during the season. 

Although Wright is likely a Day Two pick, he should still be one of the first running backs off the board.  If Spielman, who ran the Dolphins in 2004 and the Vikings from 2012-2021, is right, there could end up being a large number of teams who'd wished they'd pulled the trigger on the former UT runner when they could have. 

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