Jaylen Wright Signs Rookie Deal with Dolphins
All three of Tennessee’s 2024 NFL Draft picks have officially signed their rookie contracts.
The third Tennessee player selected in the 2024 NFL Draft has signed his rookie deal. Running back Jaylen Wright, the Vols’ leading rusher for the past two seasons and an All-SEC junior in 2023, was a fourth-round pick by the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins announced the signing of Wright, who was selected with the No. 120 overall pick, along with four other picks earlier this week. Wright has already participated in rookie minicamp and several days of OTAs with the Dolphins, who are currently holding their mandatory minicamp.
According to Over The Cap, Wright’s four-year rookie deal is valued at approximately $4,780,020, including a guaranteed signing bonus of $760,020.
Tennessee’s two sixth-round picks – cornerback Kamal Hadden (Kansas City Chiefs) and quarterback Joe Milton III (New England Patriots) – signed their rookie deals last month.
Wright became Tennessee’s first running back draft pick since John Kelly Jr., who was a sixth-round pick for the Los Angeles Rams in 2018. Wright recorded the program’s 19th 1,000-yard rushing season and the first since 2015 last season.
The 5-foot-11, 210-pounder from North Carolina amassed 1,013 yards on 137 carries, averaging 7.4 yards per carry – the best among SEC running backs and fifth nationally among all FBS players. He scored four touchdowns from distances of 42, 52, 82, and 75 yards, showcasing his breakaway speed, which contributed to the Vols leading the SEC in rushing in 2023.
The Dolphins traded away a third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to move up and select Wright, the fifth running back chosen this year. Wright clocked a 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, where he also recorded an 11-foot-3-inch broad jump, the best by a running back since 2003. Miami hosted Wright on a pre-draft visit, and he had hoped they would pick him.
“With my strengths, I feel like I’m the type of running back that doesn’t do a lot of dancing, a lot of cutting and stuff,” Wright said during rookie minicamp. “I’m one cut and go – that’s just me. I feel like this offense is going to utilize my speed, and I feel like I’m going to be used the right way. I’m just happy to be a part of it.”
Wright will wear No. 25 for the Dolphins, who finished 11-6 and second in the AFC East last season before losing to the Chiefs in the Wild Card Round.
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