Former Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright signs his rookie contract with the Miami Dolphins ahead of training camp. The 2024 fourth-round draft pick is now officially a Dolphin after signing a four-year, $4.7 million rookie contract with a $760,020 signing bonus.
Wright finished his college career with 2,297 rushing yards and 18 after three seasons, including 1,013 rushing yards and four touchdowns this past season as a junior.
Wright ran a 4.38 40-yard dash in the 2024 NFL Draft Combine in Indianapolis. His combined speed and power allow him to be a third-down power back or first-down speed back, depending on how the Dolphins want to use him in the backfield.
He adds more speed to an already speedy Dolphins offense. One of the fastest offenses in the NFL already has Anthony Schwartz and Tyreek Hill, who run a sub-4.3 40-yard dash, with De'Von Achane, Raheem Moster, and Jaylen Waddle, who run a sub-4.4 40-yard dash.
That is some elite speed in the Dolphins' backfield. However, to this point, they have struggled to stay on the field due to injuries. If that trend continues in 2024, Wright could be heavily relied on to carry the Dolphins through the season.
In the preseason, Wright is expected to compete for carries with veterans Raheem Mostert and De'Von Achane. He likely won't be any higher than RB3 at the start of the season but could earn more reps as the Dolphins' RB2 later into the season if he progresses the same way he did on Rocky Top.
He was also one of three Vols drafted in the 2024 NFL Draft. The New England Patriots drafted former Vols quarterback Joe Milton III, and the Kansas City Chiefs drafted cornerback Kamal Hadden to add three more players out of Josh Heupel's program to the NFL.