PRO 2024 Rookie Spotlight: Jaylen Wright, RB Tennessee
Rookie Spotlight: Jaylen Wright, Tennessee
Height: 5-11″
Weight: 210
2024 Age: 21 – (04/01/03)
Hands:
Arm:
40-yard dash: 4.40 (projected)
NFL Play-Style Comparison: Ronald Jones
Draft Grade: 3rd Round
1,000+ Rushing Seasons: 1 (2023)
Offensive Market Share Metrics (Final Season)
Carries: 28%
Receptions: 8%
Scrimmage Yards: 20%
Scrimmage TDs: 9%
Total Production Percentage: 16%
High School: Southern (Durham, NC)
As a high school prospect: Class of 2021; 3-star
College Attended: Tennessee
Pros
– Electricity flows through his veins in the open field
– Good agility, not great
– 2023 All-SEC Second Team & ESPN Midseason All-America Team
– Vision and Burst to beat defenders to the edge while pressing
– Solid in pass protection, always moving feet while anticipating defenders
– His feet aren’t as maniacal as Isiah Pacheco, but they churn and chop through the L.O.S.
Cons
– Able pass catcher, but only 34 targets in 34 games.
– If a defender can get their hands on him, Wright generally goes down early
– Shows a bit of lower body tightness
– Unproven from a workload stance, only two career games over 20 carries – his efficiency dropped and he finished with 0 receptions in those games.
Scouting Notes:
Wright’s long speed is incredibly fun, and his breakaway run rate was an astounding 52% in 2023. Among the Top 15 rushers in 10+ yard runs in 2023, Wright had the fewest total carries with 136. Missing his senior season in high school and completing three collegiate seasons with less than 400 total touches is going to entice teams to utilize his fresh legs in the NFL. However, over those three seasons at Tennessee, we saw him finish with 20+ carries in just two games while his efficiency dropped and no receptions followed. With 34 career targets in 34 games, Wright can develop into a dependable pass catcher but is unlikely to become a prolific 3-down back in the league. His big play upside does not warrant De’Von Achane comparisons, although his frame is more susceptible to accompanying longevity with that trait.
Fantasy Outlook:
If Jaylen Wright is drafted on Day 2 of the NFL Draft, projections will be all over the place. His big-play ability will draw people to spending a pick in the top 15 of fantasy rookie drafts and the conversation for RB1 in the class. Wright has all the makings of a rookie breakout, but it will come at the cost of a dynamic offense, and a great satellite back, like Tyjae Spears in Tennessee. If Wright can run in the 4.3s at the combine, like rumors have come out to believe, there is no reason not to expect a Top 36 finish from him during his rookie season. However, I will not be at the front of the line for this Amtrak.
