ESPN's Mel Kiper has strong take on Tennessee Vols RB Jaylen Wright ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft
ESPN's Mel Kiper, a longtime NFL draft analyst, is a big fan of Tennessee Vols running back Jaylen Wright. Kiper included Wright among his favorite players in the 2024 NFL Draft on Sunday. (Note: Kiper's list of favorite players in the draft isn't a list of his best overall prospects in the draft. Instead, here's […]
ESPN's Mel Kiper, a longtime NFL draft analyst, is a big fan of Tennessee Vols running back Jaylen Wright.
Kiper included Wright among his favorite players in the 2024 NFL Draft on Sunday.
(Note: Kiper's list of favorite players in the draft isn't a list of his best overall prospects in the draft. Instead, here's how he describes his list: "What follows below is not a list of the best overall prospects in the 2024 class nor is it a list of the guys I consider the best at each position. I try not to take the obvious prospects; only one player is in my top 25 rankings. These are the prospects I've: Often rated higher than other evaluators within the draft media or higher than team evaluators with whom I discuss prospects or…Ranked higher in close debates within position groups or…Watched and rewatched on tape, just because I like the way they play.")
Kiper noted that he loves the way Wright hits holes decisively. He also loves Wright's pass protection skills.
From ESPN: Wright made my list of risers after the combine, where he put up a 4.38-second 40-yard dash, an 11-foot-2 broad jump and a 38-inch vertical leap, all of which ranked close to the top at his position. He is a supreme athlete, and his tape matches that too. In 2023, he averaged 7.4 yards per carry, which ranked third in the FBS, and 4.1 yards after contact per carry, which ranked ninth. How did he have only four touchdowns?
Wright hits the hole decisively, but I also love that he is a stellar pass-blocker. He can handle blitzers and play on third downs in the NFL. He caught only 30 passes in three seasons for the Vols, but he has the tools to develop as a pass-catcher.
Kiper has Wright ranked as his No. 2 overall running back in the 2024 NFL Draft, behind Texas Longhorns running back Jonathon Brooks.
Wright is projected by Kiper to be a third round selection in the draft later this week, which is line with where most mock drafts have the former Vol getting selected.
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