Browns NFL Draft Profile: RB Jaylen Wright

Wright would bring elite speed and playmaking potential to Cleveland’s backfield

The Cleveland Browns are heading into the 2024 NFL Draft with a plethora of positions in mind, and running back is most likely one of them due to Nick Chubb’s injury situation.

Andrew Berry did a good job addressing the running back position in free agency with the signings of D’Onta Foreman and Nyheim Hines to 1-year deals. Though they should both be able to carve out specific roles in the offense going forward, they’re not the type of players that should deter the Browns from drafting a ball carrier this week.

Jaylen Wright is a player who could be on Cleveland’s radar heading into draft weekend due to his game-breaking speed, scheme versatility, and running style.

Name

Jaylen Wright

Position

Running Back

Height/Weight

5’10.4”, 210 pounds

College

University of Tennessee

Stats

2023: 12 games – 137 atts., 1013 yards, 7.4 avg., 4 TD – 22 rec., 141 yards, 6.4 avg.

Overall: 34 games – 368 atts., 2297 yards, 6.2 avg., 18 TD – 30 recs., 171 yards, 5.7 avg.

Relative Athletic Score

“Big Board” ranking at time of publishing

73rd

What experts are saying

“Explosive back with good size and breakaway speed. Wright’s running style is more linear than free-flowing, which limits his cut smoothness and elusiveness on the second level. His vision and aggression as an interior runner are just average, but that won’t stop him from putting yards on the stat sheet. He regularly bounced runs wide and beat the pursuit around the corner, so a move to a stretch-based running attack would be a natural fit, allowing his speed to shine. He’s capable of running with power, but he will default into finesse at times. Wright’s big-play potential and talent as a pass catcher should make him a Day 2 target as a future starter.” – Lance Zierlein, NFL Draft Analyst

“Wright grades out as a top-100 prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft on my board. He’s one of the top RB prospects in the class and could be an immediate spark plug for an offense in need of a change-of-pace back with deadly speed and three-down utility.” – Ian Cummings, PFN

“Jaylen Wright is a versatile offensive weapon who can take it the distance if given a sliver of running room.” – The Draft Network Team

Pros

• Incredible speed, very rarely gets caught from behind
• Solid, muscular build with thick legs
• Patient runner, allows run lanes to develop at the LOS
• His above-average speed and acceleration helps him improvise and bounce runs outside
• Good pass blocker, shows a willingness to “bring the fight” to blitzing defenders
• Despite lack of usage in the passing game he has soft hands and catches the ball well

Cons

• Needs to do a better job of lowering his pads through contact
• little to no special teams experience
• Appears to hesitate behind the LOS at times when diagnosing block development

Browns player drafting could impact

D’Onta Foreman or Jerome Ford. If the team drafts Wright, he’s the type of player who’s going to command a good amount of touches from day 1. Currently, Foreman and Ford are slated to handle most of the early-down work while Nick Chubb is on the mend.

If Jaylen Wright enters the picture, he’d most likely step in right away and be the “1A” or “1B” due to his elite speed and explosive play style. One of Ford or Foreman would ultimately get knocked out of the regular rotation in the backfield.

Priority

Medium-High. The team’s outlook at the running back position will continue to be shrouded by the uncertainty surrounding Nick Chubb’s rehab process. Though it appears that he’s on schedule and doing well with his recovery, Cleveland has to prepare for anything.

The team needs to continue adding youth, talent, and playmaking potential to the running back room. God forbid something happens with Nick Chubb, the Browns must have a contingency plan in place.

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