It wasn’t long ago that Jaydon Blue was being hyped as one of our most intriguing late-round sleepers in 2025 fantasy football. A former Texas Longhorn with breakaway speed and a polished pass-catching skill set, Blue landed in Dallas, a team with no clear RB1 and a desperate need for playmaking out of the backfield.
On paper? It was a perfect fantasy landing spot. In reality? The vibes are… less than ideal.
JAYDON BLUE IS… “BORDERLINE LAZY”
Former Cowboys coach Glenn “Stretch” Smith sent shockwaves through the fantasy world on Friday after appearing on the Locked On Cowboys podcast. He claimed that Cowboys coaches have privately described Jaydon Blue as “borderline lazy” and noted the team is reportedly not thrilled with his work ethic.
Yikes!
For a fifth-round rookie entering a winnable training camp battle against Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders, this kind of preseason narrative is a major red flag. It’s also noteworthy that, as Marcus Mosher reported, Blue hasn’t worked with the first-team offense at any point during OTAs or minicamp, which is now explained, perhaps, by Smith’s intel.
BETWEEN THE LINES: THE TOOLS ARE JUICY
Here’s the kicker: Jaydon Blue has the skill set to flourish as an electric chess piece in the Cowboys offense.
In 2024 with Texas, Blue logged a respectable 134 carries for 730 yards and 8 touchdowns, showcasing acceleration, vision, and soft hands in the passing game. He’s a modern back who’s versatile, explosive, and capable of contributing in all phases.
The concerns? He’s under 200 pounds, lacks polish, and occasionally struggles with ball security. But none of that stopped Cowboys fans and fantasy managers from dreaming about his potential in a wide-open backfield.
If Blue can get out of his own way and earn the trust of the coaching staff, there’s a real path to touches, and perhaps even a starting job by midseason.
JAYDON BLUE CLAPS BACK
To his credit, Blue didn’t take the criticism lying down. He responded on social media, calling the reports “fake” and accusing Smith of chasing attention. Then, in typical Gen Z athlete fashion, he posted a cryptic game photo with a caption suggesting he’d let his performance do the talking.
It’s a quality PR move, but it does show the kid has some fire. Whether that fire fuels a productive training camp remains to be seen.
THE OPPORTUNITY IS THERE FOR BLUE
Keep in mind: the Cowboys didn’t invest heavily in the running back position during the draft or in free agency. They waited until Round 5 to take Blue, a decision that drew some criticism considering the state of the roster. That suggests they see something in him, but it also means they’re not tied to him if his attitude doesn’t change.
If Blue can turn heads in training camp and start building trust with the coaching staff, he has a shot to climb an unimpressive depth chart. But if the rumors of poor habits continue? He may start the season in the dog house, which is not ideal for a rookie.
JAYDON BLUE FANTASY OUTLOOK: DON’T PANIC!
The offseason drama has definitely cooled some of the early hype, but don’t abandon ship on Jaydon Blue’s 2025 fantasy outlook just yet. He still offers a tantalizing combo of opportunity and upside, exactly what you want in redraft, best ball, and dynasty leagues.
Just be sure to keep your finger on the pulse once Cowboys training camp kicks off. If Blue shows signs of maturity and starts getting reps, the arrow will point back up.
And if he doesn’t? Well… The Wolf will be left holding roughly a billion shares in best ball. Wish him luck as he sadly drops him down his 2025 Fantasy Football Rankings.
