The 2024 NFL Draft is quickly approaching, meaning a handful of Tennessee Volunteers are about to learn their professional destinations. The highest rated of the bunch is running back Jaylen Wright, especially after his lights out NFL Combine performance.
In what’s being viewed as a pretty weak running back class, Wright has a real shot of being the first back taken next week. Projections have zeroed in on a round three landing spot, and ESPN’s Mel Kiper joined that line of thinking with his latest mock draft on Monday morning.
Kiper had Wright going 77th overall, landing with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Finally, another running back off the board. The Raiders lost Josh Jacobs, which means there are opportunities for touches in 2024. Wright averaged 7.4 yards per rush in 2023, which ranked third in the FBS.
Kiper had Texas running back Jonathan Brooks going to the Dallas Cowboys with the 56th overall selection.
Wright really came into his own over the last two seasons, developing into Tennessee’s most explosive runner. As a junior, Wright put up an eye-popping 7.4 yards per carry, which ranked second in the FBS. He went over 1,000 yards this past season, building on his 875 yards from 2022. Obviously those numbers would be a lot higher if he were not splitting time with Jabari Small and Dylan Sampson.
The 5-10 back really bulked up during his time in Knoxville, now weighing in at 210 pounds. That added weight clearly didn’t affect his explosiveness or speed, as Wright clocked in with a 4.38 in the 40 yard dash. Wright had fumbling issues during his first two seasons, but he put those behind him in 2023.
A former overlooked three-star prospect, Wright has the full attention of the NFL. He should come off the board at some point on Friday night, and the Raiders (lost Josh Jacobs) or the Cowboys (lost Tony Pollard) make a lot of sense as a potential landing spot.
The 2024 NFL Draft is set to begin on Thursday, April 25th and will run through Saturday, April 27th.