Tua Tagovailoa excited about addition of rookie Jaylen Wright to RB room

The Dolphins are rich with running backs. They’re all sizzling fast, too. And during the draft, Miami added another with Jaylen Wright. In fact, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa brags that the former Tennessee Vol has “got some swag to him.”

Wright was the Dolphins’ fourth-round pick to go along with Raheem Mostert, who made the Pro Bowl last season, along with De’Von Achane, who led the league last fall by averaging 7.8 yards per rushing attempt. Wright played in his first game in a Dolphins uniform last week, as he gained 55 yards on 10 carries in Miami’s preseason opener against the Falcons.

Color his quarterback impressed.

“He’s acclimated pretty quick,” Tagovailoa told reporters this week in regards to Wright. “I think that was one of the first times I can really say that I’ve seen his personality with running the ball. Runs the ball and then throws one of those — I was like OK, he’s got some swag to him.

“And I think he’s still trying to feel out the guys, he’s still trying to feel out the offense. I think once he feels comfortable and gets comfortable, then I think we’ll all start to see his personality flourish.”

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel will have to create a way to get a chance to play with all his offensive toys. Because Miami isn’t known solely for its running backs. The Dolphins also have the receiving tandem of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

Brian Baldinger, an analyst for NFL Network, broke down some of Wright’s game film from his preseason debut.

Take a look:

.@MiamiDolphins @__jw12 sure looked exactly like the player we watched @Vol_Football Speed. Speed Speed and vision to go with it. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/NXw4pYcwZZ

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) August 11, 2024

McDaniel says Dolphins backs may be ‘most talented group’ he can remember

McDaniel offered a clue as to how he’ll handle his running backs at his media availability this week.

“I mean, who says we have to stop at two?” McDaniel said. “Maybe we can just have four. I think you have to let the players determine who gets the ball and how frequently and how much during the game, and that’s very important.

“I think the cool thing when you have a position group that on the front end you know by NFL standards is very, very talented — one of the most, if not the most talented that you can remember or you’ve been on teams with — you don’t worry about how that is going to unfold. You let it unfold and it’s always very obvious.”

And if any of those three gets nicked up, there are more backs McDaniel can use including  Jeff Wilson Jr. and Salvon Ahmed. Of course, McDaniel comes from the Kyle Shanahan coaching tree. And the offense needs runners.

Last fall, the Dolphins led the league with an average of 5.1 yards per rush. Add on Tagovailoa throwing the ball, and it all helped Miami top the NFL in total offense at 401.3 yards per game.

Sounds like the addition of Wright can only make them more formidable, if McDaniel can figure out how to utilize everyone.