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The Wright back for Dolphins?

Featured role is open for third-year back

I think many could be missing the boat with Miami’s backfield. Ollie Gordon was the hot waiver pickups in leagues this week, but I’m not sure he’s going to be better than Jaylen Wright.

I notice on team website that Wright, not Gordon, is listed as the team’s starter. And that’s a depth chart that’s been updated to reflect the season-ending knee injury De’Von Achane suffered on Sunday.

Gordon moved into the featured role on Sunday, but that was with Wright inactive because of neck and foot injuries. And Gordon wasn’t all that effective against Kansas City, scoring a touchdown but gaining only 41 yards on 17 carries.

Wright was higher than Gordon on the depth chart all of last season and played credibly enough, averaging 4.1 yards per carry. He and Gordon both finished last season with 70 carries, but Gordon averaged over a yard less per attempt (2.8).

I saw Wright return a kickoff 79 yards back in Week 1, and it occurred to me at that time that he looked like a guy who was ready to move into a larger role. He hasn’t thus far had a prolific career, but he’s been stuck behind Achane (who was really good last year).

I reviewed Wright’s 2025 highlights on YouTube, and they’re pretty impressive. Lots of carries where he’s finishing runs strong, picking up a couple extra yards. And he’s got that breakaway gear. He averaged 7.4 yards per carry his final season at Tennessee. He had 3 TD runs of 75-plus yards in college.

He hasn’t played much as a pro, but he’s shown enough that I’m not giving up on him yet. As a rookie, he carried 13 times for 86 yards in a game at New England, and he ran for 107 yards in a game against the Jets last year. Of all running backs drafted since 2024, they so far have combined for only 26 games with 100-plus rushing yards, and Wright has one of them.

MOST YARDS BY BACKS DRAFTED IN LAST 3 YEARS
YearPlayerOppResultAttYardsAvgTD
2025Kyle Monangai, Chi.at Cin.W, 47-42261766.80
2024Bucky Irving, T.B.at Car.W, 26-23251526.11
2025Ray Davis, Buff.NYJW, 35-8211517.20
2025TreVeyon Henderson, N.E.Buff.L, 31-351414810.62
2025TreVeyon Henderson, N.E.at T.B.W, 28-231414710.52
2024Tyrone Tracy, NYGat Pitt.L, 18-26201457.31
2025Ashton Jeanty, L.V.Chi.L, 24-25211386.61
2025Kyle Monangai, Chi.at Phi.W, 24-15221305.91
2024Tyrone Tracy, NYGat Sea.W, 29-20181297.20
2025Omarion Hampton, LACat NYGL, 18-211212810.71
2025Ashton Jeanty, L.V.at Hou.L, 21-23241285.31
2025Blake Corum, LARat Ari.W, 45-171212810.72
2025Kimani Vidal, LACL.V.W, 31-14251265.01
2025Kimani Vidal, LACat Mia.W, 29-27181246.90
2024Bucky Irving, T.B.at LACW, 40-17151177.80
2025Kimani Vidal, LACMin.W, 37-10231175.11
2024Bucky Irving, T.B.Car.W, 48-14201135.70
2025Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Was.at LACW, 27-10141117.92
2025Quinshon Judkins, Cle.Min.L, 17-21231104.80
2025Jaylen Wright, Mia.at NYJW, 34-10241074.51
2025Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Was.Dall.L, 23-30111059.52
2024Tyrone Tracy, NYGat Car.L, 17-20181035.71
2025Tyrone Tracy, NYGDall.W, 34-17181035.70
2026Ashton Jeanty, L.V.Mia.W, 27-13231024.40
2025Jawhar Jordan, Hou.Ari.W, 40-20151016.70
2026Kyle Monangai, Chi.at Car.W, 59-371010010.01

Wright returned to practice on Wednesday, albeit as a limited participant. We’ll see what he does today, but I’m thinking he’ll probably be active. And if he’s active, he’s perhaps more likely than Gordon to lead the team in rushing. I am not suggesting anyone should be starting Wright against Minnesota this week, but I see a plausible path where Wright becomes their featured back, with some good games in his future. The Dolphins next week will host Cincinnati, which let another Jaylen W (Jaylen Warren) run wild on Sunday.

—Ian Allan

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