Jaylen Wright, a running back for the Tennessee Volunteers, was one of the most athletic backs present at the 2024 NFL Combine, putting up several impressive numbers during his testing period. Wright also had a great senior season at the University of Tennessee, becoming the program’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2015. Prior to the NFL Combine, Wright was a predraft sleeper, attracting the attention of ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. However, following his performance, he started to shoot up draft boards. Most recently, Pro Football Focus ranked Wright as the second-best running back in the entire class, behind Texas running back Jonathan Brooks.
PFF ranked Wright as the class’s No. 71 overall talent; writer Trevor Sikkema discussed the aspects of Wright’s game that he finds appealing. Wright’s youth is one factor that works in his favor; at just 20 years old and with only a small amount of collegiate experience under his belt, he still has plenty of professional football left in him.
“Wright is a running back with NFL-caliber athleticism. His youth has both advantages (less mileage) and disadvantages (lack of reliable RB vision), but he has excelled at zone and gap blocking and has excellent pass protection skills for the NFL’s three-down set.” Trever Sikemma of PFF on Jaylen Wright
