Former Tennessee Vol Jaylen Wright had a positive repeat of 2024 on Sunday for the Miami Dolphins, but one that he hopes to improve upon in a big way this season
The VFL is in a good spot in South Florida
Jaylen Wright is enjoying playing in the first preseason game, or at least that’s when he’s been able to find paydirt early in his career.
The former Tennessee Vols and current Miami Dolphins ballcarrier found the end zone on Sunday during the Dolphins’ preseason opener against the Chicago Bears, bowing in from seven yards out to put Miami ahead 14-7.
That’s the second time that Wright has found the end zone as a professional. The other time was, indeed, in the Dolphins’ preseason opener last season, which was the VFL’s first ever professional action. Wright was able to make it into the end zone last year for the Fins in Miami’s 20-13 win over Atlanta just over a year ago.
After that? Not much as far as threatening the end zone. Wright was third on the Dolphins last year in rushing yards behind starter De’Von Achane, appearing in 15 games with 1 starter and totaling 249 yards on 68 carries. He didn’t register a touchdown in the regular season.
However, the chances of that happening are rising. Miami made moves this offseason to improve what was a terrible run-blocking offensive line last season. The Dolphins’ second-leading rusher last year, Raheem Mostert, was let go during the season. Alexander Mattison is principally a short-yardage runner, and Ollie Gordon II is just a rookie. And Achane is among the smaller starting running backs in the league, for which Miami has to be cautious in overworking him throughout the season.
The door is wide open for Wright to have a potential impact for the Dolphins in 2024.
