The Miami Dolphins wrapped up their 2024 NFL draft, aiming to bolster their lineup with a seven-player class. This roundup marked the Dolphins’ return to the first round of picks since 2021, supported by a second-rounder and five more selections on the third day; this included a strategic move into the fourth round through a trade.
In this line of reviews on Miami’s draft class, attention turns to Jaylen Wright, secured as the 120th pick overall in a trade deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, which saw Miami shed a 2025 third-rounder. Wright, hailing from Tennessee, emerged as a leading rusher over his last two collegiate seasons, boasting personal highs in the most recent campaign.
The question that looms now is Wright’s potential impact within Miami’s talented pool of running backs. Delving into the film, Wright’s long-speed ability jumps off the screen, reinforcing Miami’s preference for speed in constructing its offense.
Wright’s performance at the NFL combine speaks volumes, with standout tallies in the 40-yard dash, broad jump, and vertical jump, placing him among the draft’s top athletic talents. Despite a slightly slower 10-yard split, Wright’s acceleration hints at his need for an initial burst to unlock his top pace.
On the field, Wright’s pass blocking could edge him into gameplay in his debut year, underlined by his superior ability in this domain among the 2024 draft’s running backs. Despite his limited receiving experience, Wright displays a basic comfort with catches, making him a less likely choice over others for receiving duties initially.
In terms of vision, Wright has displayed a sound ability to navigate the field but faces the challenge of transitioning such skills to the NFL’s tightened defensive setups. His collegiate gameplay involved fewer defenders in the box, a scenario less common in the professional league, suggesting an area for potential growth.
Conclusively, Jaylen Wright slots perfectly within the Dolphins’ archetype for running backs, offering essential speed and standout pass protection. However, his role might initially seem overlapping with existing talents within the team, putting him behind in the pecking order for rushes. But with the pass-blocking prowess possibly being his ticket to early field action, Wright’s selection is both a fit for Miami’s current scheme and a potentially strategic move for the coming seasons, especially given the injury histories of his fellow running backs.
Though immediate high expectations from Wright might be tempered, his integration into the Dolphins could well prove a savvy move as the team contemplates its speed attack’s future dynamics.