Latest news with #JaydonBlue
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
$38 million, 4x Pro Bowl runner among several options for Cowboys to boost RB room
$38 million, 4x Pro Bowl runner among several options for Cowboys to boost RB room The Dallas Cowboys have the unfortunate distinction of 2025's weakest running back room. Apparently the collective of Jaydon Blue, Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders, Phil Mafah, Hunter Luepke and Deuce Vaughn do little to impress the national media. With the major portion of free agency long gone, and the draft nothing but a distant memory, there's a temptation to accept this fate and hope someone on the roster outplays their expectations in training camp. But what about aftermarket upgrades? Just because the traditional avenues of upgrades have been exhausted doesn't mean the Cowboys are out of options completely. Dallas could still upgrade their RB room either by way of trades, waiting until final roster cuts are made or even looking at those lingering free agents unclaimed on the market. NFL free agents Ameer Abdullah, Nick Chubb and Gus Edwards are a few options who could represent upgrades on the Cowboys' roster. It's doubtful any of them are starter level at this point in their respective careers, but if veterans like Williams or Sanders falter, one of these three could be seen as reasonable solutions. It's unlikely and probably unnecessary for the Cowboys to do anything before they see what they have in training camp, but veterans options are there if Dallas needs them. NFL roster cuts With such a deep RB class hitting the NFL this draft cycle, good players are sure to hit the market once roster cuts take place after training camp. Waiting it out requires patience but if Blue shows he's the player the front office hopes he is, patience could be afforded. Front end starters might not be cut cut loose, but players worthy of roles in a committee certainly could. The Cowboys' current stable of RBs aren't just competing against each other, they're competing against the bottom of everyone's roster. RB trade market The Cowboys love their draft picks and have already sent off a series of future draft picks in trades this offseason, so this probably isn't their preferred option, but more than a few attractive players are buried on their respective depth charts this year. That makes it a buyer's market for Dallas. Pro Football Focus recently named the Baltimore Ravens RB room the deepest in the NFL. Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell are stuck behind arguably the best RB in the NFL. It's possible one of them could be attainable for a mid-Day 3 draft pick. Breece Hall may be made available by the New York Jets as might Jerome Ford in Cleveland or Audric Estime in Denver. You can follow Reid on X @ReidDHanson and be sure to follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Longhorn Jaydon Blue makes bold prediction for rookie season with Dallas Cowboys
Former Longhorn Jaydon Blue makes bold prediction for rookie season with Dallas Cowboys Jaydon Blue has high expectations for his rookie season In just a few months, former Longhorns running back Jaydon Blue will start his first NFL season. Following a productive run at Texas, Blue was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He is poised to become a key piece of the Cowboys offense. After making headlines with his play in college, Blue has high expectations for his rookie season. Last Wednesday, Blue made his rookie of the year predictions to B/R Gridiron when speaking with Dallas Cowboys writer Tommy Yarrish. The former Longhorns star predicted that he will win the Offensive Rookie of the Year award and that Jahdae Barron will win the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Although Barron winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year award would be no surprise, Blue has a harder path. He is third on the Cowboys depth chart behind veterans Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. Williams began his career with the Broncos, and Sanders spent time with the Eagles and Panthers. All three are trying to fill a void left by Rico Dowdle, who signed with Carolina free agency. After being drafted 20th overall, Barron will be one of the most-watched rookies in the NFL. In his final year at Texas, the talented defensive back won the 2024 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award. It is given annually to the best defensive back in the nation. His competition includes Giants edge Abdul Carter and Browns defensive tackle Mason Graham. If the two former Longhorns can add to their trophy cases, they would make history. Players from the same college have only won the Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year awards three times. The last time it happened was in 1997. The Longhorns also have a plethora of former players poised for big roles, including Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden, Eagles safety Andrew Mukuba, and Saints offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. While Longhorns fans have plenty to watch for this NFL season, Blue has just raised the stakes for himself and one of his former teammates.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jaydon Blue Already Impressed With Dallas Cowboys Coach Brian Schottenheimer
It's been a little more than a month since former Longhorns star Jaydon Blue became a Dallas Cowboy. After an impressive career at Texas, the Cowboys selected Blue in the fifth round of the NFL Draft. As he prepares for his first season in the NFL, he is working aside a fellow rookie, new Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer. When the regular season begins, Blue is expected to be a weapon the Cowboys turn to often. In college, he became a fixture in the Longhorns offense as he racked up 1,161 yards on 214 attempts. While Blue has spent the last few weeks learning a new system, he has enjoyed working with Schottenheimer. Advertisement "Coach [Schottenheimer], man I love him," Blue said. "Somebody could be having a bad day and he comes in, starts screaming, excited and I love coaches like that 'cause it helps me...A coach that I can relate to like that, it helps me be better." After finishing the regular season with a 7-10 record, Dallas parted ways with Mike McCarthy in January. They then turned to Schottenheimer, who was the team's offensive coordinator the previous two seasons. He now gets to call the shots for an offense that includes stars such as CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. Regardless of the role Blue is asked to play, he has shown he can quickly adjust. He started his final season with the Longhorns as the backup before CJ Baxter suffered a season-ending injury in the offseason. As the starter, Blue recorded 730 yards on 134 carries. He also found the end zone eight times on the ground and six times through the air. Advertisement Blue is listed third on the Cowboys depth chart behind off-season additions, Javonte Williams and former Panthers running back, Miles Sanders. However, that could change if he continues improving and listens to Schottenheimer's guidance. This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer already has a a fan in Jaydon Blue
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jaydon Blue Is Better Than Tony Pollard?
The Dallas Cowboys selected running back Jaydon Blue with the 149th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. ... amid high hopes. How high? Read on ... The explosive Blue had a fairly productive year with the Texas Longhorns last season, putting up 730 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground while adding 368 yards and six touchdowns through the air. Advertisement Blue's skillset from the running back position compares favorably to former Cowboys running back Tony Pollard in the eyes of one expert. In fact ... Former NFL scout Bryan Broaddus believes Blue projects as a better player than Pollard. 'Better player, I think. Better player,' Broaddus said on the G-Bag Nation show on 105.3 The Fan. Blue adds immediate value as a third-down back, and new offensive coordinator Klayton Adams should design plays and packages that will allow Blue to utilize his blazing speed in space. Blue ran a 4.38 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and it figures that he will thrive as the change-of-pace back in Dallas. Advertisement But what about more? Could Blue eventually take on a full workload and become the full-time starter? Sure, but sharing reps early in the season with the likes of veteran newcomers Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams would give Blue time to acquaint to the NFL game. As someone who struggled with ball security and injuries during his time at Texas, let's not put too much on the plate of a potential home run talent like Blue too early. Maybe it's not far-fetched to suggest Blue will be a better player than Pollard but it cannot be ignored that Blue is 5-9, 196 pounds while Pollard - who cashed in with the Cowboys and moved to Tennessee via free agency - stands 6-0, 215 pounds. Advertisement Time will tell if Blue can be a true workhorse at that size and if he develops to be a Pro Bowl level talent; let's get him on the roster first. Related: Cowboys George Pickens Vows To 'Grow Up' After Blockbuster Trade Related: Cowboys Build Perfect 'Thunder and Lightning' Backfield With Blue and Mafah
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jaydon Blue Previews New Cowboys Threads
The Dallas Cowboys selected running back Jaydon Blue with the 149th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. … and have high hopes for him as an immediate contributor. Blue was a fifth-round selection out of Texas and adds blazing speed to the Cowboys backfield with a sub-4.4 40 yard dash time. Advertisement Blue has the potential to hit his head on the goal post every time he touches the ball and will give the Cowboys offense another explosive threat to go along with Ceedee Lamb, George Pickens, and Jake Ferguson. Blue is also a running back that doesn't come with much wear and tear as last year in college was his only season with more than 100 total touches on the year. Over the weekend, Blue was present at the annual NFLPA Rookie Premiere event and took a photo with his new No. 34 jersey—a number formerly worn by running back Herschel Walker with the Cowboys. It is yet to be determined how much of a load Blue will carry throughout the season but expect the former Longhorn to carve out a nice role with the Cowboys running back committee. Blue joins a running back room that features veteran newcomers Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders, fellow rookie Phil Mafah, third-year player Deuce Vaughn, and fullback Hunter Luepke. Advertisement Blue is the most explosive running back on the roster and poses the greatest threat as a receiver out of the backfield—making his role within the committee all the more important. The Cowboys are hoping Blue can develop into someone defenses have to account for every time he steps out on the field. Related: Jaydon Blue Is Better Than Tony Pollard? Related: Cowboys Dak and CeeDee Meet Young Fan In Heartwarming Video Going Viral
