Wright Attends NFLPA Rookie Event

The Miami Dolphins selected Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright with the No. 120 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright (0) runs for a touchdown in the opening minutes of the game / Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA

Rookie running back Jaylen Wright was one of 40 players in Los Angeles this weekend for the NFL Players Association Rookie Premiere event.

The fourth-round draft pick from the Tennessee Volunteers was the lone player from the Dolphins to receive an invite. Wright was photographed in a Dolphins uniform for the first time for photo and content shoots for brands like trading card company Panini America.

Wright should be back in South Florida this week to take part in Phase Three of the Dolphins offseason program and the start of OTAs.

The Dolphins shared pictures of Wright in his new NFL jersey on social media.

J. Wright lookin’ fresh at the #RookiePremiere 🌟 pic.twitter.com/nktk8dNZRQ

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) May 18, 2024

The Purpose of the NFL Rookie Premiere

The goal of the NFL Rookie Premiere, per the NFLPA, is to serve as a "pivotal opportunity to educate" the new stars of the NFL about the business aspects of playing at the professional level and to allow the partners of the NFLPA Rookie Premiere the "unique opportunity to connect with influential young athletes."

Such brands that are in attendance are Fanatics, EA Sports, Fanatics Collectibles, Sleep Number, Lowe's, FedEx, Jewelmark, New Era, and the aforementioned trading card company. These brands can showcase their products utilizing the athletes. They will look to create content for potential marketing campaigns and "player promoted products."

NFLPA looks to educate the rookies with an orientation that offers "insights into football's business aspects and the union's programs and services." Some of the wisdom imparted upon the players revolves around group licensing and how to create opportunities for passive income.

The impact of NIL has played a big role in this year's Rookie Premiere, per President of NFL Players Inc., Matt Curtin.

"This year's class will learn about their union's business, building on their NIL rights experiences from college," Curtin said. "The even gives them better tools and resources to take full advantage of group licensing opportunities. It also helps them meet partners who can support their success on and off the field."

The Wright Representative?

No other Dolphins rookie outside of Wright -- including first-round selection Chop Robinson or any other member of the 2024 class -- received an invite to the NFL Rookie Premiere.

The selection criteria are based on certain factors -- college performance, draft status, position, and marketability — per the NFLPA. The list of participants always is dominated by skill position players, and the only two defensive players invited this year were Laiatu Latu and Dallas Turner, the first two edge defenders selected in the 2024 draft.

Wright was drafted with the No. 120 pick after leading Tennesse in rushing each of his last two seasons with the Volunteers. In his final season, Wright became the 19th 1,000-yard rusher in Tennessee history -- and the fastest to reach the mark.