Jaydon Blue DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Athletic's Jon Machota writes that he thinks Dallas Cowboys running backs Javonte Williams, Jaydon Blue, Miles Sanders and Phil Mafah will end up getting almost all of the backfield work for the team in 2025. Machota sees Williams being the leader early in the season, but eventually the rookie Blue will get more carries and lead the team in rushing. Machota thinks that by the end of the year, Blue, a fifth-round pick this year, will be their No. 1 RB. The 21-year-old Texas product is staying in state and will bring much-needed speed to Dallas' backfield this year. The 5-foot-9, 196-pounder isn't all that big, but he should complement the power of both Williams and Sanders well and provide a nice change-of-pace option with some pass-catching upside. Volume will certainly be a concern early on in Blue's rookie season, but he's not a bad late-round sleeper target for fantasy managers that wait at the position.

Per the team's transaction log, the Dallas Cowboys have signed fifth-round rookie running back Jaydon Blue to a four-year, $4.62 million contract. The 21-year-old played second fiddle to teammate Quintrevion Wisner for the Texas Longhorns and is smaller in stature (5-foot-9) but has speed for days (4.38 40-yard dash). Blue has the odds stacked against him for playing time -- considering his draft capital -- but it isn't unheard of for late-round selections to make a splash in the league. Furthermore, the talent (or lack thereof) in front of him in Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams doesn't pose much of a threat in the way of competition. He'll undoubtedly have an opportunity to make his way to the field, but it won't be good for his prospects if he can't beat out the aforementioned veterans for playing time.

The Dallas Cowboys have selected Texas running back Jaydon Blue with the 149th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Blue isn't a dominant tackle breaker, but he has good downfield speed and can make an impact as a dual-threat option out of the backfield. He rushed 134 times for 730 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground last year, and he added an additional 42 catches, 368 receiving yards, and six receiving touchdowns through the air. Entering the draft, Dallas' backfield was headlined by Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders, and Deuce Vaughn, so Blue has a chance to carve out a role right away. He's an intriguing rookie selection and could be worth a late-round flier in redraft leagues.