2024 NFL Draft Rookie Profile: RB Jaylen Wright (Fantasy Football)

In the 2024 NFL Draft class of running backs, the prevailing topic has revolved around the absence of marquee talents like Bijan Robinson or Breece Hall. However, beneath the surface, numerous intriguing names are flying under the radar, poised to make immediate contributions to fantasy teams. What adds to the allure is the opportunity to acquire these players at a discounted rate in rookie drafts, a departure from the premium prices associated with top-tier rookie running backs. One standout candidate, often overlooked but possessing the intangibles for fantasy stardom at the next level, is the University of Tennessee’s explosive running back, Jaylen Wright. Explore further as we dive into the distinctive qualities and attributes that distinguish Wright from the rest of his class, setting the stage for his success at the next level.

Editor’s Note: This article is part of our Rookie Profile series going on until the 2024 NFL Draft. For more on each rookie, check out Andy, Mike, and Jason’s exclusive rookie rankings and the production profiles found only in the Dynasty Pass, part of the UDK+ for 2024.

College Production Profile

In his freshman year at Tennessee in 2021, Wright made an immediate impact in nine games for the Volunteers, rushing for 409 yards on 85 attempts at an average of 4.8 yards per carry. Impressively, he scored four touchdowns without a single fumble and he secured six receptions for 22 yards in the passing game.

Advancing to his sophomore season in 2022, Wright played in 13 games, showcasing remarkable growth from his rookie year. He rushed for an impressive 875 yards on 146 carries, averaging an excellent 6.0 yards per carry, and recorded 10 touchdowns, though he had four fumbles. He continued to be underutilized in the passing game, tallying only two receptions for eight yards on the season.

Continuing his breakout into 2023 as a junior, Wright played in 12 games for the Volunteers, earning All-SEC Second Team (AP) honors. Notably, he increased his efficiency significantly, totaling a remarkable 1,010 rushing yards on 136 attempts, while scoring four touchdowns without a fumble. He also led all college football running backs in yards per carry with an impressive average of 7.39. The sole player who surpassed this mark was quarterback Jayden Daniels with 8.40. Additionally, Wright’s receiving production flourished after his first two seasons, reeling in 22 receptions for 141 yards. 

2023 Season Per Game AVG:

• Rushing Attempts: 11.4
• Rushing Yards: 84.4
• Rushing TDs: 0.3
• Receptions: 1.8
• Receiving Yards: 11.8
• Receiving TDs: 0

Measurements

Standing at 5’10.5” and weighing 210 lbs, Wright embodies the ideal size and physique of a modern NFL running back. Within this frame, he distinguishes himself as one of the quickest and most explosive prospects in his class, showcasing remarkable acceleration, burst, and speed. Notably, he showcases tremendous contact balance and agility for his size. His physical build positions him to be able to handle a full workload at the professional level or assume a prominent role in a committee situation. Wright stands out as one of the youngest prospects in his class, currently only 20 years old and will be 21 for the majority of his rookie season. He also had one of the most desirable breakout ages of running back prospects in his class at 20.4.

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Wright’s key strengths lie in his breakaway speed and elusiveness, frequently translating into spectacular home run plays when he sees nothing but green grass in front of him. While he demonstrated a commendable effort in pass protection, an area where many rookies face challenges upon entering the league, there is room for improvement. However, given his natural abilities in this category, he is poised to swiftly enhance this aspect of his game, ensuring his consistent presence on the field for the majority of downs.

Player tracking data at the combine unlocks the ability to measure explosiveness during the forty.

Jaylen Wright (@Vol_Football) is the first running back to reach 15 mph within the first five yards of the 40-yard dash over the last two combines.#NFLCombine x @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/m9S2Xxnp2O

— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 2, 2024

Aligning with his impressive athletic profile, Wright delivered a standout performance at the NFL combine. He secured the second-fastest 40-yard dash time at 4.38, achieved the best broad jump at 11’2”, and notched the fourth-highest vertical jump at 38” among all running backs who participated. His broad jump was also the second-best mark among any running back in combine history. Additionally, his top speed of 15.18 MPH at five yards in the 40-yard dash is the fastest recorded speed over the past two years, as per NFL Next Gen Stats. Notably, this recorded speed surpassed some of the fastest running backs in the league like De’Von Achane (14.94 MPH) and Jahmyr Gibbs (14.75 MPH). This underscores the caliber of athlete that we are evaluating, even though he may have been initially overlooked on many draft boards during the early stages of the evaluation process.

What’s on Tape

Games Viewed: Georgia (2023), Texas A&M (2023), Kentucky (2023), Kentucky (2022)

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1. Home Run Hitter

In fantasy football, one of the most coveted attributes in a running back is the ability to single-handedly win you a week with a single play. The previous season highlighted the value of players like De’Von Achane and Jahmyr Gibbs, who proved invaluable for their knack to break free on any play for a long touchdown. However, possessing the necessary long speed and explosiveness to outrun an entire field of defenders is a rare trait. As detailed in the measurements section of this article, Wright unequivocally qualifies as a home run hitter. In 2023, he executed 35 runs of over 10 yards, establishing himself as a walking human highlight reel, particularly when it comes to long touchdowns. A notable instance is showcased in the play below against one of college football’s most formidable defenses, where Wright left nothing but dust in his defenders’ faces, reaching a remarkable max speed of 22.2 MPH.

2. Patient Runner

While occasional instances of questionable vision are evident on tape, Wright demonstrates notable patience as a runner when required. He affords his offensive line the essential time to establish their positions before carefully assessing the available holes. Frequently employing a lateral jump cut after reading the line, he transitions into a sudden burst downfield. His ability to quickly locate openings in the defense often culminates in long touchdowns, as his unmatched speed becomes a challenge for any opponent once he gains a full head of steam.

3. Elusive and Slippery

Jaylen Wright is so much more than just a lightning-fast running back. Notably, he has a track record of forcing 96 missed tackles throughout his career. In the 2023 season, he earned an impressive elusive rating of 132.2 from PFF. His patience in the backfield perfectly complements his elusive abilities, showcased in plays like the one below where he effortlessly evades multiple diving defenders, before securing a touchdown. Despite not currently possessing the pass-catching chops of Aaron Jones, moments like these bear a striking resemblance to what we have witnessed during the accomplished running back’s tenure in Green Bay. It is worth noting that Jones, while in college, also had a limited receiving production profile, though notably more accomplished than Wright’s.

4. Sudden Burst

In fantasy football, few frustrations compare to having a running back on your team capable of explosive plays but lacking goal-line opportunities. Similar to a boom/bust wide receiver reliant on deep ball touchdowns, these players can be disappointing in weeks without significant plays. While observing Wright’s tape, I often envisioned him as a capable goal-line back at the next level. Despite not being the largest in his class, his sudden burst stands out, particularly when his team approaches the red zone. Although he only secured four rushing touchdowns in 2023, his more favorable mark of 10 in the previous season suggests his 2023 total was influenced by limited opportunities and an ineffective offense rather than his actual ability. Notably, he excels at accelerating rapidly, akin to a sports car with a powerful engine, once committed to attacking the goal line. Plays like these evoke similarities to Isiah Pacheco, albeit with slightly less frantic footwork.

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What’s Not on Tape

1. Yards After Contact

Wright faces occasional challenges in consistently eluding tackles and extending gains after contact, occasionally settling for minimal yardage rather than breaking through initial resistance. While he could occasionally carry defenders for a short distance upon initial contact, he was ultimately brought down on most occasions. Witnessing more instances where he successfully evades contact and continues advancing downfield would be desirable. However, it is worth noting an improvement in this aspect of his game in 2023. Among running backs receiving 20% of their team’s carries, Wright secured the eighth most yards after contact with an average of 4.35.

2. Diverse Route Tree

While not all fantasy-contributing running backs excel in the passing game, possessing this ability and skill is undoubtedly advantageous. In Wright’s initial two collegiate seasons, he saw minimal involvement in the receiving game, a potential red flag if not for his prolific junior season. Upon scrutinizing Wright’s tape, it becomes apparent that he holds greater potential in this aspect of his game than his collegiate responsibilities reflected. However, assessing his prowess as a route runner proves challenging due to the predominant use of short dump-offs and screen passes in his passing work. Nevertheless, history has shown that many players with limited receiving profiles in college can elevate their game at the professional level. A recent case in point is Kenneth Walker III, who, despite not reaching 100+ receiving yards in any season over his three years at Michigan State, achieved 259 receiving yards in his rookie year with the Seattle Seahawks.

3. Pass Protection

Wright exhibits potential for improvement in pass protection, yet his adeptness in identifying and locating pressure is already commendable. A slight refinement in his technique, complemented by proper coaching, would enhance his overall performance in this area of his game. Notably, this facet is commonly challenging for incoming rookie running backs, and in this aspect, Wright stands ahead of most of his peers. Furthermore, he proves quite effective when utilized as a pass blocker, positioning him to potentially contribute on third downs during his rookie season.

Fantasy Outlook

Evaluating the immediate fantasy and dynasty value of an incoming rookie running back can often be challenging. This sentiment feels especially crucial in a class like this one, where the landscape appears more uncertain than the previous year’s, which featured blue-chip prospects like Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs. The complexity deepens when considering potential landing spots for a particularly talented free-agent class of running backs. Nevertheless, without knowing draft capital or landing spots, only two running backs currently stand out to me more than Wright in rookie drafts: Trey Benson and Jonathon Brooks. While other backs deserve significant consideration, I believe none are as well-rounded or offer greater upside than Wright.

His youthfulness becomes an asset for dynasty purposes, especially given the typically brief shelf lives of NFL running backs. The league’s unpredictability and the absence of guaranteed contracts contribute to their uncertain future. Ultimately, his immediate impact in the NFL will hinge on his draft capital and landing spot. Despite initially flying under the radar during the prospect evaluation process, Wright has rightfully gained attention from the public after an impressive showing at the combine. This leads me to believe that he is poised to become an early day two pick, barring any setbacks or negative developments leading up to the draft. Scouts are likely to be enamored with his elite speed and overall well-rounded game, setting him apart from some of the other prospects in the class.

Assuming he secures the desired draft capital, the next focal point is his landing spot. If drafted into a situation where he is positioned as the lead back, his fantasy outlook as a rookie would appear promising. When evaluating running back production, volume often proves pivotal, making a destination that ensures significant opportunities highly preferable. Conversely, if drafted into a committee backfield or a team with an already distinguished and established starter, there is a higher likelihood of a slower start to his career. Even in such a role, his knack for hitting home run plays could still provide weekly fantasy value despite limited opportunities. Wright also possesses the kind of dynamic skill set that could instill fear in a team’s current starter if drafted into an established backfield. With his remarkable attributes, he has the potential to carve out more opportunities gradually and eventually overtake the starting reps. As the NFL draft approaches, attention intensifies on the running back’s draft stock, setting the stage for his impending rookie season.