Tennessee Volunteers running back Jaylen Wright is among the most explosive and intriguing ball-carriers available in the 2024 NFL Draft. In a class of runners that doesn’t contain a first-round pick, teams will be searching for value selections in the middle rounds. Wright offers terrific versatility as a potential three-down runner.
Wright enjoyed a career-best season in 2023, crossing the 1,000-yard rushing landmark for the first time. Wright reached the end-zone on four occasions and averaged a personal-high 7.4 yards per carry. Wright possesses outstanding burst and long speed. He's also an extremely physical blocker in pass protection, offering him a role on third-and-obvious passing downs.
With a diverse skill set in mind, we've identified three ideal team fits for Wright.
DALLAS COWBOYS
Are the Cowboys going to re-sign Tony Pollard? I consider it unlikely given the pending extensions for Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons. Running back is a non-premium position the Cowboys must address via the draft. Pollard also didn't prove capable of being a legitimate workhorse in 2023 following Ezekiel Elliott's departure. Pollard averaged a pedestrian 4.0 yards per carry throughout the season.
A new featured back must join Rico Dowdle (a restricted free agent) and Deuce Vaughn. If Wright enjoys the NFL Combine performance I believe he's capable of, the Cowboys using their 56th overall selection on a difference-making back is within the realm of possibility. The Cowboys are also scheduled to pick No. 87 overall in the third round. Striking the correct balance on offense is a necessity.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
Browns superstar running back Nick Chubb is a potential cap casualty. It's the nature of the business. One of the most consistently productive ball-carriers is coming off a serious season-ending knee injury. The Browns are approximately $20 million over the projected 2024 cap and could free up roughly $11.8 million in financial relief by releasing Chubb, according to Spotrac.
Kareem Hunt is scheduled for unrestricted free agency and was a short-term solution. Jerome Ford performed admirably in Chubb's place, but head coach Kevin Stefanski has always preferred to rely on a two-man backfield. General manager Andrew Berry possesses the 54th and 85th selections. The way Cleveland values their running game, I expect one of those picks to be utilized on a running back with Wright's skill set.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
The Vikings failed to appropriately replace Dalvin Cook last season. They cycled through below-average runners like Cam Akers and Alexander Mattison. Kevin O'Connell's unit averaged a 29th-ranked 91.4 rushing yards per game as a result. Neither Akers nor Mattison should have a featured role in 2024.
Upgrading his ground-game attack will be a massive point of emphasis for O'Connell this offseason. O'Connell plied his trade under Sean McVay with the Rams, where being able to run multiple schemes out of similar personnel groupings helps set up the pass. The Vikings are scheduled to make five selections between 109 and 179 overall. Targeting a running back within that range, or executing a trade-up, is an expected outcome. The Vikings must diversify their offensive approach.
