Where will Jaylen Wright get drafted? Exploring Tennessee RB's draft stock

Jaylen Wright remains as one of the best available running backs on Day 3 of the 2024 NFL draft. His name is expected to be called at some point on Saturday in Detroit after a solid college football with the Tennessee Volunteers. He spent three years with the team, including two as their starter, totaling more than 2,500 yards and 20 touchdowns.

What makes Wright an intriguing prospect to teams in need of a running back is his ideal combination of size and speed. During the NFL combine this year, he measured in at 5-foot-11 and 210 pounds, while still turning in an impressive 4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

While running backs have been devalued in recent years, they are still extremely popular targets in the later stages of the NFL draft. Now entering Round 4, Jaylen Wright is expected to be one of the first players in his position eventually selected.

Jaylen Wright 2024 NFL Draft projection

Jaylen Wright

The SEC is widely regarded as the most difficult, as well as the most prestigious, college football conference to play in. Despite facing off against many of the top defenses in the entire country, Jaylen Wright still totaled more than 2,000 yards across his final two years with the Tennessee Volunteers. This includes leading the team in rushing in both of his seasons as a starter.

With Day 3 of the 2024 NFL draft featuring the fourth through seventh rounds, many more running backs are likely to be selected than in the first two days. Most teams have decided to wait longer in the draft to target the position in recent seasons, but Wright is one of the top remaining prospects that comes with plenty of upside.

Among the teams that are expected to be searching for a running back prior to the conclusion of the 2024 NFL draft is the Dallas Cowboys. They have parted ways with Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard in each of the past two offseasons, so they lack an established starter on their roster. Whether they plan on featuring one back or using a committee approach, Wright could provide them with a needed upgrade.

The Cincinnati Bengals are another contending team that is in transition with their running back position. They lost workhorse Joe Mixon during the offseason, so they are likely to seek backfield reinforcements at some point on Day 3. Jaylen Wright will be patiently awaiting to see if one of these teams, or another potentially needy team like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, will be his eventual landing spot.