During last week’s organized team activities, Miami Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright made a couple of long runs that showed off his vision, explosiveness and speed. Wright, last year’s fourth-round pick, spotted the hole, hit it quickly and accelerated to the second level.

“I was just trying to just execute to my full capability, to be detailed in what I’m doing,” he said.

Despite a good showing during OTAs, Wright has a major challenge on his hands as the Dolphins open their three-day minicamp Tuesday.

“When we had exit meetings,” coach Mike McDaniel said last week, “I was talking to Jaylen Wright about being able to non-verbally communicate to me his hunger for an increased role.

“I see better than I hear, and four OTAs in, I can see him following through with that.”

If Wright, who totaled 249 yards on 68 carries (3.7 yards per carry) last season, can find a way to be impactful, he can be invaluable to the Dolphins.

The Dolphins desperately need a running back whose situational carries lead to victories.

Wright, who has added six pounds of muscle, was impactful in the Dolphins’ 15-10 win over New England in October, rushing for a team-best 86 yards in a game played without quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) and a game that saw starting running back De’Von Achane leave in the first quarter (concussion).

The Dolphins’ running back room has its roles filled among Achane, the shifty and versatile ball carrier and receiver, veteran Alexander Mattison, the bulky short-yardage specialist, and rookie Ollie Gordon II, the big, physical hard-charging sixth-round pick.

To that extent, the Dolphins, who have drafted a running back each of the past three years, would seem to have their bases covered.

But you know the upside down numbers on the Dolphins’ run game over the past two years. They’re 8-11 (.421) when they rush for 100 or more yards and 11-5 (.688) when they rush for less than 100 yards.

While their 448 rushing attempts was 19th in the league in 2024, their 4.0 yards per carry was 28th, and their 105.6 yards per game was 21st. The league averages last season were 4.4 yards per carry and 119.8 yards per game.

Their expected points contributed by the rushing offense was minus 63.12 for the season, second-worst in the league ahead of only Las Vegas (-73.33). Baltimore led the league at plus 100.61.

The Dolphins also need a running back who can hold onto the ball and move the chains in every situation. Last season, Raheem Mostert and Alec Ingold had key second-half fumbles in losses at Indianapolis and Buffalo. 

Last season, the Dolphins’ 28 rushing fumbles tied with Tennessee for fourth-most in the league and only trailed league-leader New England (30) by two fumbles.

Wright was involved in one of those fumbles. In the Dolphins’ 34-15 win over the Patriots, Wright and backup quarterback Skylar Thompson had an ugly fumble on a handoff. New England cornerback Christian Gonzalez returned it 63 yards for a touchdown, causing both Wright and Thompson to be benched.

If Wright can move the chains on first and second downs or put the Dolphins in advantageous second- and third-down situations, that would go a long way toward winning and earning playing time.

After all, there’s a chance the Dolphins want to reduce wear and tear on the 188-pound Achane, so perhaps they’d put him in the slot more and seek a running back to line up in the backfield and eat up a few carries.

Achane had 281 touches from scrimmage last season, the most under McDaniel. Mostert had 234 in 2023.

Wright knows what he must do to earn playing time, starting with this week’s minicamp. It’s a simple formula.

“I’m going to just do what I’ve got to do, just to be on the field, do what I’ve got to do to make my plays,” he said. “Whatever my opportunity is, make the most of them.”

Originally Published: June 9, 2025 at 12:28 PM EDT