Miami Dolphins rookie running back Jaylen Wright could be heavily involved against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday Night Football. The Dolphins ruled out Raheem Mostert with a chest injury, and De’Von Achane is a game-time decision with an ankle injury. Wright could end up sharing backfield duties with either Achane or Jeff Wilson Jr.
Unsurprisingly, Wright did not play in Miami's Week 1 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The speedy ball-carrier was a healthy scratch with Achane, Mostert, and Wilson Jr. all active. Opportunities like these are precisely why Dolphins general manager Chris Grier selected Wright with a fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Both Mostert and Achane have a fairly lengthy history with injuries and it's already something head coach Mike McDaniel has to deal with in Week 2. The Dolphins fielded the league's sixth-ranked rushing offense last season, so having depth at the running back position is critical to maintaining that success. Wright can keep Miami's offense explosive and on schedule against the Bills.
Despite last year’s ground-game success, the Dolphins didn’t run the ball effectively versus the Jaguars last week. Achane averaged just 2.4 yards per carry despite running for a touchdown, and Mostert was even worse at 1.5 yards per attempt. The Dolphins’ 81 rushing yards was the seventh-worst team output of Week 1, so perhaps Wright’s involvement is coming at a good time.
Wright was outstanding for the Tennessee Volunteers last season. He enjoyed a career-best campaign, surpassing the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the first (and only) time in his college career. Wright reached the end-zone on four occasions and averaged a personal-high 7.4 yards per carry.
Wright then boosted his pre-draft stock by running a lightning-fast 4.38 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. It was the second-fastest result posted by any running back as only Isaac Guerendo (4.33) ran a faster time. Wright's profile as a speed rusher pairs perfectly with the Dolphins' offensive approach that forces defenses to cover every blade of grass on any given down.
The Dolphins saw spurts of that explosiveness and productivity throughout training camp and the preseason. In two exhibition appearances, Wright rushed for 91 yards and a touchdown via just 17 carries, averaging a healthy 5.3 yards per carry. Wright didn't feature in the second preseason game versus the Washington Commanders due to an unspecified injury, but he maximized his other two opportunities.
Jaylen Wright is making moves for the @MiamiDolphins
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Wright possesses outstanding burst and long speed. His abilities as a pass-catcher were also on full display in the exhibition finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he recorded four receptions for 41 receiving yards. Additionally, Wright was an extremely physical blocker in college, meaning he could have a role on 3rd-and-obvious passing downs versus the Bills on Thursday night.
Some questioned the Dolphins' decision to utilize a fourth-round selection in April on another running back despite already rostering Achane and Mostert. That decision could already prove wise and fruitful on Thursday in a critical AFC East division game. With Mostert sitting out and Achane at less than 100% at best, the Dolphins should unleash Wright.
