This game plan is going to be compromised slightly as Raheem Mostert will not be available for Thursday night’s game due to a chest injury and so the Dolphins will have to rely on Jeff Wilson Jr. and Jaylen Wright, with De’Von Achane’s status up in the air. It’s time to see Jaylen Wright in action—his physical ability, college accomplishments, and what he might contribute to the field.
Raheem Mostert is out for Thursday, and De’Von Achane might also be out. However, recent reports from practice indicate that Achane is moving well, so things are looking like he’ll “Most Likely” play. In last week’s game, Achane was given only 10 rushing attempts, but he was quite involved in the passing game given that the Dolphins were playing from behind most of the time. Mostert actually received fewer touches than were predicted, but that is presumably because the Dolphins had to throw the ball more.
Regarding the backup running backs, what you should know is that when the Dolphins are behind on the scoreboard, they become more of a passing team unlike the Seahawks, and hence they are likely to exploit a player like Achane. Jeff Wilson Jr. showed he’s still got it. With his fourth-quarter performance, he showed he should get more workload in the future. However, another player to mention is Jaylen Wright, who was a healthy scratch in week 1. With Mostert being out, Wright has a chance, by default to play a crucial role in the Dolphin’s offense.
Can Jaylen Wright Elevate the Miami Dolphins’ Offense?
Rising Tennessee star, Wright, rushed for over 1,000 yards last season in the SEC with 10 touchdowns and averaging 4.35 yards after contact. He had 43 missed tackles and recorded an 82-yard long run. In 2022 he also managed to show that he’s got a lot of burst when he recorded an 83-yard run. He ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the combine which showed his elite speed. He is a dynamic player who can break off long runs if he finds the space. For him, it only takes one explosive play to increase his fantasy value.
Wright was drafted in the fourth round, and while his speed is the name of his game, he also has the size to grind it out between the tackles and handle goal-line carries. He’s not the most consistent back yet—his vision and ability to find the hole need improvement—but when he hits that second level, it’s bye-bye.
Now, let’s talk about the Dolphins’ offense. If they get behind early in games, they’ll continue to rely more on their passing game and faster backs like Achane. However, if they take the lead, backups like Jeff Wilson Jr. and Jaylen Wright could see more touches. Wilson Jr. deserves touches after his clutch performance last week, but Wright is a player to keep a close eye on. He didn’t play in Week 1, but if he gets a chance on Thursday, even a few carries could show his explosive potential.
Wright is the type of player you want to stash on your bench. If he breaks off a long run, his fantasy value could soar. He’s a lottery ticket, and if you have room on your roster, he’s worth the stash. You never know when a player like Wright will hit. Remember, people were questioning whether to drop De’Von Achane last year, and then he exploded onto the scene. The same thing could happen with Jaylen Wright.
At the end of the day, it’s all about finding those consistent upside plays. This is a “wait and see” situation, not a quick bet. Keep an eye on how Wright performs Thursday night, especially his vision and decision-making. He’s not the most polished running back, but his speed is elite. If he finds the right opportunity, he could become a key player in your fantasy line-up.
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1 Comment
Nice insight!