The 2024 NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 25. There is a lot of excitement surrounding the draft, with the first round expected to be highlighted by several quarterbacks and running backs hearing their names called. This year’s running back class is talented, but no RBS are expected to be selected on Thursday. One back who should be picked up on Friday, in the second day of the draft, is Jaylen Wright from Tennessee.
Wright spent three years with the Volunteers. He played in 34 games with Tennessee and finished with 2,297 rushing yards with 18 touchdowns. Wright found the endzone 10 times as a sophomore and ran for a career-high 1,013 yards as a junior. He didn’t get much of an opportunity to show off any pass-catching ability, so he will likely need to develop there once at the next level.
Jaylen Wright: Scouting Report
NFL analyst Lance Zierlein has Wright as a day-two pick in the third round. He compares his skill set to Melvin Gordon, which, if true, could be a draft-day steal for a team that needs running back help.
Wright’s running style is more linear than free-flowing, which limits his cut smoothness and elusiveness on the second level. His vision and aggression as an interior runner are just average, but that won’t stop him from putting yards on the stat sheet. He regularly bounced runs wide and beat the pursuit around the corner, so a move to a stretch-based running attack would be a natural fit, allowing his speed to shine. He’s capable of running with power, but he will default into finesse at times. Wright’s big-play potential and talent as a pass catcher should make him a Day 2 target as a future starter.
Mock Draft landing spots
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates conducted a three-round mock draft where the analysts alternated picks. Kiper took Wright 77th overall to the Las Vegas Raiders. ESPN’s Jordan Reid had Wright landing with the Green Bay Packers at No. 91. NFL.com draft analyst Chad Reuter is higher on Wright, mocking him to the Baltimore Ravens at No. 62.
Fantasy football implications
I think Wright has upside as a backup running back this season, depending on where he lands. Personally, I’d be higher on him if he landed with a team like the Raiders rather than the Ravens or Packers, as some analysts are mocking him too. Either way, Wright doesn’t need to be considered in redraft leagues and should be a second-round pick in dynasty league rookie drafts.