Running back Jaylen Wright is the first Tennessee player off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft with the Miami Dolphins drafting Wright with the 20th pick in the fourth round (No. 120 overall) on Saturday afternoon.
Wright spent three years at Tennessee with his game growing rapidly over the course of his career. The Durham, North Carolina native become the first Volunteer running back to record 1,000 yards since 2015 totaling 1,013 yards and four rushing touchdowns on just 137 carries during his junior season.
Working in a a crowded backfield, Wright averaged just over 11 carries a game but was still one of the SEC’s best running backs. He was a strong and physical runner between the tackles but had elite breakaway speed. Wright ran a 4.38 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and had a number of long runs last season including a 75-yard touchdown on the first play of the game against Georgia.
More From RTI: Projecting Tennessee Football’s Depth Chart At The End Of Spring Practice
Over the course of his three-year career at Tennessee, Wright ran for 2,297 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns. He’s one of the best true runners in the 2024 NFL Draft while also being a plus pass blocker and not too much of a receiving threat out of the backfield.
Wright is the fifth running back selected in this year’s draft and in Miami he joins a running back room that includes De’Von Achane and Raheem Moster.
The former Tennessee star is the first Vol off the board in what’s expected to be a slower draft for Josh Heupel’s program. Still, cornerbacks Kamal Hadden and Gabe Jeudy-Lally and quarterback Joe Milton III are draft candidates in the 2024 NFL Draft.
