Why everyone is excited about Jaylen Wright. And Dolphins personnel notes

A six-pack of Dolphins notes on a Monday:

▪ Here’s a prediction: The Dolphins’ decision to trade a 2025 third-round pick to Philadelphia to select Jaylen Wright in the fourth round in April (120th overall) will — years from now — be considered one of their most prescient and savvy moves of the offseason.

Wright’s work throughout camp, including his 10-carry, 55-yard debut against Atlanta on Friday — reinforces the notion that he has a very good chance to be an excellent NFL running back.

Remember, his 7.4 yards per carry last season (on 133 carries) for Tennessee was second best in FBS. His 6.2 yards per carry on 368 career rushing attempts is 24th all time in SEC history, dating to 1956.

Everyone knew about the blazing speed; he had a 4.38 time in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. But like with De’Von Achane, there’s more to his game than speed.

“I feel like I’m a back that can do anything,” he said Monday. “I feel like I’m a very versatile back — somebody that can go out in space, catch the ball, make something happen with the ball in his hands. I’m confident in my ability to do anything, whether that’s running through the line of scrimmage, breaking tackles, seeing the seam, hitting it and not being caught and catching the ball, seeing the seam and not being caught [as a receiver] as well.”

He has plenty of experience not being caught. Among his runs last year were a 52-yarder against Kentucky, an 82-yarder against Connecticut, a 75-yard jaunt against Georgia and a 42-yard run against USC.

“He gets a little crack; he’s gone,” ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. said. “Jaylen Wright has burst, the frame at 5-10, 210 pounds, leg drive, balance, breaks contact, slippery, contact balance outstanding.”

Pro Football Focus’ Ryan Smith said after Friday’s game that Wright is already the “best pass-blocking back on the roster” and the “best short-yardage back on the roster.”

“I take pride in pass protection,” he said. “You have to keep the quarterback off the ground. It’s a mentality.”

(PFF rated Wright the 68th-best player in April’s draft; he was picked 120th.)

Running backs coach Eric Studesville “was pleased with the way I played” on Friday, Wright said. “My coach is very picky; he wants the best from me. He congratulated me on the good things I did and told me what I need to work on.”

Has he noticed a difference in speed in the NFL? “It’s a speed difference, but SEC football is one step under the NFL. I feel like me playing in the SEC has prepared me for it. I started to adjust to the speed of the game after my first carry.”

▪ With Wright, the Dolphins likely won’t miss a beat if Raheem Mostert or Achane is injured. Running back Jeff Wilson Jr. also has dealt with several injuries in the past year; he was sidelined Monday.

Is playing time important to Wright this season?

“Whenever I get my opportunity, whenever I get my touches, I’m going to take full advantage of it and make something happen every time I touch the ball,” he said.

Wright says the NFL back he most admires, and sees similarities with, is Mostert:

“Me and Raheem have a pretty similar skill set, the way we run the ball, physical, speed, explosiveness, good cuts. I learned a lot from Raheem. He’s a great back.”

They also share blazing speed. Wright had said he has run as fast as 23.7 mph when he had access to a tracking device. As perspective, the fastest recorded NFL play last season was a 22.3 mph catch-and-run by Seattle’s DK Metcalf.

▪ Jaelan Phillips, who came off PUP on Monday, sized up the Dolphins’ other edge rushers:

First round pick Chop Robinson is “super athletic, super explosive. His get off, his leverage, everything is better than I was [as a rookie]. His mentality, he doesn’t even celebrate. I’m trying to get him to be a little more emotive. When he makes a big play or [tackle for loss] or whatever, that’s kind of the standard, which is an amazing thing. [Now injured Mo Kamara] has been doing a great job.

“Having [Emmanuel Ogbah] back has been incredible. He’s a great leader for the guys. Obviously plays his [butt] off. [Quinton Bell] has taken that next step and embodies energy and embodies toughness and does all the things right.”

▪ With the NFL’s new kickoff rules, Dolphins primary returner Braxton Berrios said: “I think you’ll see more returns for touchdowns. At the absolute bare, you’ll see better field position from the Dolphins.

“Opportunities are there more so than any other year and that’s exciting. They’re trying to put the ball in play. The changes in the rules were to get more returns. If they kick it straight into the end zone, it [comes out to the] 30, instead of the 25.”

▪ Quick stuff: Phillips said the Dolphins exercising his $14.4 million 2025 fifth-year option while he was recovering from his Achilles injury “means the world. I want to be here as long as they keep me.”... Count Berrios among those who notes Tua Tagovailoa is more mobile after shedding weight.. The Falcons were 0 for 3 when targeting rookie cornerback Isaiah Johnson on Friday and 1 for 5 (for 16 yards) when targeting fellow undrafted rookie corner Storm Duck.

▪ Per PFF, the Dolphins offensive players with the best grades against Atlanta were Wright, guard/center Jack Driscoll and left tackle Patrick Paul… The top three graded players on defense were cornerback Siran Neal, cornerback Jason Maitre and defensive lineman Jonathan Harris... No Dolphin allowed a sack. Paul permitted two pressures.