Jaydon Blue’s name didn’t dominate pre-draft buzz like other backs in the 2025 class. Still, after landing with the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round of the NFL Draft, he’s one of the more intriguing late-round fantasy prospects.
While his draft capital and college production may raise some eyebrows, Blue’s athletic profile, skill set, and opportunity in Dallas create a perfect storm for year-one fantasy sleeper upside and long-term dynasty value.
LETHAL COLLEGIATE PRODUCTION AT TEXAS
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Blue never hit 1,000 rushing yards in college. But stats don’t tell the full story with the speedster. At Texas, he was buried behind future NFL backs like Bijan Robinson and Jonathon Brooks, so a limited workload was more a reflection of a stacked running back room than Blue’s own limitations.
When he did see a real workload in 2024, he delivered with 730 rushing yards, 14 rushing touchdowns, 42 receptions for 368 yards, and three more scores through the air. That’s 17 total touchdowns in one season, in the SEC and the College Football Playoff.
Efficient. Explosive. Versatile.
ATHLETIC PROFILE: LEGIT NFL SPEED
At 5’9″, 196 pounds, Blue isn’t built like a traditional bellcow, but he doesn’t need to be. He’s dynamite in a compact package, with verified long speed to flip the field in a heartbeat, as evident by his clocked 22.3 MPH on the field.
While his official Combine 40-time was a blazing 4.38, he reportedly clocked 4.28 and 4.25 at his Texas Pro Day. While his Burst Score is on the very low end, it shows up on film. He plays with suddenness, accelerates through creases, and is a nightmare in open space, especially when matched up with a linebacker or safety.
A MISMATCH IN THE PASSING GAME
What truly elevates Blue’s fantasy ceiling is his receiving ability. He posted a 23% career targets-per-route-run (TPRR) rate—second-best in the entire 2025 RB class. He also possessed a 25% target share in an offense full of NFL pass-catchers, not to mention he lined up in the slot on 16% of his routes, which led his class.
He’s not just a screen or dump-off merchant, either. Blue can run legitimate routes out of the backfield or even motioned into the slot. He burns linebackers on wheels and angles, and he’s elusive after the catch. In today’s NFL, where passing-game work separates RB1s from RB3s in fantasy, this skillset is gold.
“My versatility, that’s one of the main things,” Blue described. “Speed, the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, run routes, I’m willing to go in there and pass protect, put my body on the line for the team, and I’m just willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win.”
THE PERFECT LANDING SPOT IN DALLAS
Blue landed in what might be one of the juiciest backfields for a rookie to step into. The Cowboys added plodders Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders after moving on from Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott in the offseason. Both Williams and Sanders ranked in the bottom quarter of efficiency metrics, like yards per carry (each under 2.51), and neither looks like the long-term answer.
This backfield is wide open. Dallas clearly knows that, too. Among their six picks after No. 149, pairing the speedster Blue with 234-pound Clemson bulldozer Phil Mafah feels like an intentional thunder-and-lightning strategy. Mafah may steal early-down work, but Blue should be the favorite for passing-down and change-of-pace snaps early, and potentially more if he flashes.
JAYDON BLUE FANTASY OUTLOOK: HIGH-UPSIDE IN A PASSING OFFENSE
Don’t expect Blue to be a Week 1 starter. But do expect him to see the field early, particularly on third downs, in two-minute drills, and in spread formations. Although the skill positions are lacking outside of CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys’ offense still projects to be above average, and any competent role in this system could quickly turn into fantasy relevance.
If Dallas leans into Blue’s speed in space, he could become the kind of boom-or-bust flex play that wins you weeks. If you’re into Underdog Fantasy Best Ball Drafts, Blue is the perfect late-round stab who could absolutely put you into contention.
And if either Williams or Sanders falter—or get hurt—Blue could find himself in a far larger role. While he’s not a prototypical between-the-tackles grinder, he’s a slasher with enough vision and toughness to handle 12–15 touches in a pinch.
DYNASTY OUTLOOK: PERFECT LATE-ROUND TARGET
Blue is currently being drafted as RB10 in most expert consensus rankings, 30th overall in rookie drafts. That’s too low given his profile and situation. In my Dynasty Rookie Rankings, he’s just a bit lower at RB13 and 36th overall, but the separation between him and some of the “safer” backs ahead of him is razor-thin, and he arguably has a better ceiling than most.
He’s the type of player who could explode late in the year if the situation breaks his way. Sound familiar? It should, because it happens often with rookie backs. While it’s too early to anoint Blue as the next De’Von Achane, the path is eerily similar: a hyper-efficient college back with game-breaking speed landing in a vulnerable depth chart.
SUMMARY: A FANTASY DART THROW YOU WON’T REGRET
Jaydon Blue won’t be a universal scheme fit. He needs to be in a system that runs spread looks and utilizes space, like Dallas or Miami. But that’s where he is, and the Cowboys seem to know what they’re doing with this RB room refresh. His combination of juice, pass-game value, and a clear opportunity make him one of the most exciting late-round dynasty stashes in the 2025 class.
He might not be your deepest sleeper, but when the consensus lets him slide into the 30s in rookie drafts, it’s time to pounce. Jaydon Blue is the kind of explosive, high-upside swing that wins dynasty leagues.
