This year’s most explosive and dangerous runner and, in a league where speed is becoming currency, I’m planting my stake that he’s one of the best backs to get in April
We see how weapons like Jahmyr Gibbs, Keaton Mitchell, and De’Von Achane are impacting offenses and, this year,Jaylen Wright is the guy in this class that may be able to do the same. He doesn’t have the receiving resume as Gibbs, but he brings the same game-breaking ability in a slightly bigger build (5’11” 210 lbs) and, believe it or not, possibly a bit faster.
- A 26% explosive rush rate, best in this class and 3% better than any back in the 2023 draft class
- A 31% missed tackle rate forced, 5th in this draft class and a rate that you usually only see in bigger guys
- Averages 4.4 yards after contact, 59% of his total yards, best in this class and better than all but DeWayne McBride and Tyjae Spears in 2023
Wright was in a heavy three-back rotation at Tennessee and still registered dominant games against some of the best SEC run defenses: 11/120 vs Kentucky, 9/90 vs. UGA, and 19/136 vs. Texas A&M. And he routinely racked up big runs with runs of 82, 75, 52, and 42 this year.
Film clips
The highlights of his you will see are always his long TD runs but my favorite clips follow:
This first one shows his patience at the line but then a silly, video game-like ability to accelerate. Watch him once he hits the 15 yardline – he goes from a pause waiting for the block to fastest guy on the field instantaneously.
These next two show his ability to either miss or run through contact. Year after year, this is one of the key traits that translate to NFL success:
And lastly, what he is best at and the reason you want to draft him, his ability to create explosive plays. Any time he touches the ball, he’s a guy that can take it all the way.
Draft projection – Day 2
Jaylen remains under the radar, barely registering on big boards today, primarily because he only recently declared for the draft. But the highly explosive backs in recent drafts have trended higher, with several on the first two days (R1 Jahmyr Gibbs, R2 Kenneth Walker, R3 De’Von Achane, Tyjae Spears).