Jaydon Blue’s rookie season came with inordinate scrutiny for a fifth-round pick. It won’t get any better in year two, with Blue likely drawing as much attention as any offensive player during the Cowboys’ 2026 training camp and preseason.
Background
Years in NFL: 1
Acquired by: 2025 5th-round pick
Why is Blue in such a strange spotlight, given where he was drafted? It starts with where he played college ball: Texas. From 2022-2023 with the Longhorns, Blue was stuck behind future NFL players like Bijan Robinson
and Jonathon Brooks. While his touches did go up dramatically in 2024, Blue remained a backup to Tre Wisner. Still, he had enough exposure that some draft analysts gave him a Day 2 grade based on athletic potential.
Last year, running back was a hot topic in Dallas going into the draft. After Rico Dowdle’s breakout season, and subsequent free agency departure to Carolina, the Cowboys hadn’t made any big moves to replace him. They signed Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders out of the bargain bin, seemingly focusing on the draft to find their next franchise back.
But in what was considered a very deep RB class, Dallas kept using picks elsewhere. Days 1 and 2 went without a RB pick, leaving some fans scratching their heads. Then there was a big run on RBs in the fourth round, in which the Cowboys had no pick because of the Jonathan Mingo trade the year before. More attention, more angst, and then finally relief when Jaydon Blue, from just three hours up the road, became the long-awaited running back pick.
You can see why Blue was a walk-in focal point – former Longhorn, supposedly deep RB class, sub 4.4 speed. But unfortunately, Blue wasn’t ready for that kind of attention, or perhaps even to be in the NFL. By his own admission, Blue didn’t approach his rookie year with the maturity or effort required. It soon became clear that he was in the coaches’ doghouse, being inactive for most of the season and only getting significant touches in the team’s regular-season finale.
That otherwise meaningless game was big for Blue. He produced 64 yards and a touchown on 16 carries, flashing potential and restoring hope for his future. And with more positive comments this offseason about his approach to the game, especially his own statements of regret and renewed focus, Blue remains a figure of intrigue going into his second season.
Contract Status
Years Left: 3
2026 Cap Hit: $1.11 million
If Blue can become the pace-changer guy behind Williams, it will be at a lovely rookie contract discount for at least the next few years. As it stands, money won’t be a factor in the roster battle as all backup contenders are making near the league minimum.
2026 Projections
Role: Backup RB
Roster Chance: 95%
If Blue is truly the changed man that he and the coaches are claiming, then he’s almost assuredly on the team. He offers more sizzle and diversity than a guy like Malik Davis, able to do more in the passing game and on special teams. Some have suggested he could even make KaVontae Turpin expendable, though that would take a lot more proof than we currently have.
That big leap aside, Blue does make the most sense as RB2. He helps open up the playbook more as a complement to Williams, rather than guys like Phil Mafah or Israel Abanikanda who are also bruisers. One of them may end up making it as a short-yardage option, especially for if Williams were to miss time, but Blue’s the kind of back you’d want active each week to play his own offensive role.
Again, this all depends on Blue’s new attitude and professionalism. If it’s legit, it’s his job to lose. Dallas has always found a reason to cut Malik Davis, so Blue would simply be the next one. But if his rookie issues do manifest again, Blue probably won’t be here come September.
Check out our previous player profiles from this series:
RB Israel Abanikanda | P Bryan Anger | S Justin Barron | G T.J. Bass | C Cooper Beebe | CB DaRon Bland | G Tyler Booker | CB Josh Butler | S Alijah Clark | OT Ajani Cornelius | RB Malik Davis | DT Tommy Dunn | CB Cobie Durant | OLB Donovan Ezeiruaku | TE Princeton Fant | TE Jake Ferguson | WR Ryan Flournoy | C Matt Hennessy | S Malik Hooker | OLB James Houston | QB Sam Howell | WR Jordan Hudson | LB Shemar James | G Trevor Keegan | CB Derion Kendrick | WR CeeDee Lamb | OLB Isaiah Land | OLB Marist Liufau | S P.J. Locke | FB Hunter Luepke | RB Phil Mafah | QB Joe Milton III | WR Jonathan Mingo | CB Devin Moore | DT Otito Ogbonnia | LB DeMarvion Overshown | TE DJ Rogers | TE Luke Schoonmaker | LS Trent Sieg | WR Anthony Smith | TE Brevyn Spann-Ford | OT Terence Steele | CB Reddy Steward | OT Nate Thomas | S Jalen Thompson | DT Jay Toia | WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling | OLB Tyrus Wheat | RB Javonte Williams | DT Quinnen Williams | OLB Sam Williams | DT D.J. Withers | S Julius Wood
