Rookie sixth-round pick Ollie Gordon showed promise when given a chance last season. The Dolphins also added two undrafted free agents, Carlos Washington Jr. and Anthony Hankerson, to compete with current third-string back Jaylen Wright and fourth-string back Donovan Edwards, who has yet to appear in an NFL offensive game.
Jaylen Wright entered the league amid significant hype in 2024, but he has accumulated under 600 rushing yards across his first two seasons. With Gordon rising, Wright’s path to a larger role appears uncertain.
Should the Dolphins consider moving Wright?
One analyst has suggested exploring a trade with the Houston Texans, proposing that Miami send Wright to Houston in exchange for a late Day 3 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. The idea is that Houston could pair Wright with newly acquired back David Montgomery to bolster the ground game, given that current backup Woody Marks is viewed as a complementary back rather than a true lead early-down option. In this scenario, Houston would gain a young, inexpensive depth piece to supplement Montgomery, while Marks could continue to handle receiving duties and serve as a return option.
Could such a move make sense for Miami?
When Wright was drafted, he was behind Achane, Raheem Mostert, and Jeff Wilson Jr. on the depth chart, which left him as the fourth option to begin the year. Since Mostert and Wilson have departed, Wright has not seen a dramatic rise in usage over the past two seasons. A new head coach and offensive coordinator bring the potential for a fresh start. Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik might decide there is limited room for Wright beyond injury depth or he could elevate him to a more prominent role.
With other backs on the roster competing for meaningful reps, Miami could be comfortable moving on from Wright if a favorable opportunity arises. However, they may also choose to retain him to maintain depth or to see how camp and the new system develop.
In short, while the Dolphins have a star in Achane, the question of backing depth remains a topic of strategic discussion. A potential trade of Jaylen Wright could be part of a broader plan to reshape the backfield, but any decision will hinge on camp performances, roster needs, and long-term strategy under the new coaching staff.
