A closer look at what Jaydon Blue is and isn't

[Bobhaze]

The Cowboys 5th round draft pick RB Jaydon Blue is an intriguing player with lots of speed and elusiveness. That is certainly a skill missing from this team’s RBs since maybe Zeke’s rookie year. In 2016.

While Blue has blazing 4.25 speed and adds a welcome big play threat to this offense, he’s not particularly big nor has ever been “the guy” in terms of carries and touches while playing 3 seasons at the University of Texas.

Let’s look at what Jaydon Blue’s stats were as a RB as a Texas Longhorn over his 3 seasons there:

• 2022 season (Freshman season- played in 9 games)
  
  • Rushing: 15 carries for 33 yards, 2.2 yds per carry, 0 TDs
  • Receiving: 0 receptions
  • Total touches/yards- 15/33 yards, 0TDs
  • Avg 1.6 touches per game
• 2023 season (Soph season, played in 14 games)
  • Rushing: 65 carries for 398 yards, 6.1 yds pc., 3 TDs
  • Receiving: 14 receptions for 135 yds, 9.6 yds pc., 4 TDs
  • Total touches/yards: 79/533, 6.7 yds per play, 7 TDs
  • Avg. 5.6 touches per game, avg 38 yards per game.
• 2024 season (Junior and final season at UT, played in 15 games)
  • Rushing: 134 carries for 730 yards, 5.4 yds pc, 8 TDs
  • Receiving: 42 receptions for 368 yds, 8.8 yds pc, 6 TDs
  • Total touches/yards: 176/1,098 yards, 6.2 yds per play, 14 TDs
  • Avg. 11.7 touches per game, avg 73.2 yards per game
• TOTALS OVER 3 SEASONS:
  • Rushing: 214 carries for 1,161 yards, 5.4 ypc, 11 TDs
  • Receiving: 56 receptions for 503 yds, 9.0 per reception, 10 TDs
  • Total touches/yards: 270 touches, 1,664 yds, 6.2 avg per play.
  • Total touches avg for 3 yrs: 38 games, 7.1 touches per game, 44 yds per game.

So over his three seasons at Texas, Blue averaged 7.1 touches per game for 44 yds per game. A better, more accurate look at what he can be is better captured in his numbers last year where he averaged about 12 touches a game for 73 yards per game.

CONCLUSIONS

• Jaydon Blue is fast, versatile and averaged about 6 yards per play in college. That’s very good, but not a particularly big workload.
• Blue is clearly not an every down back and will probably be a 8-12 touches a game at most as a rookie.
• If Jaydon Blue receives the largest share of carries for the Cowboys, it will be the FIRST time since he was a high school RB. He never led the longhorns in rushing yards or carries.
• I think Blue will make some big plays but I don’t expect to see him be more than part of a committee. Still glad he’s a Cowboy.

 

[big dog cowboy]

A lot of tread left on them tires.

 

[Bobhaze]

A lot of tread left on them tires.

True but the tires are pretty small.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

I just wonder if Blue's lack of playing time at Texas had more to do with how deep they were at the position and not any knock on his abilities. I think he can be a weapon similar to what DeVon Achane is for the Dolphins- not an every down option, but a big play threat in a rotation.

Excellent post as always Bob!

 

[Bobhaze]

I just wonder if Blue's lack of playing time at Texas had more to do with how deep they were at the position and not any knock on his abilities. I think he can be a weapon similar to what DeVon Achane is for the Dolphins- not an every down option, but a big play threat in a rotation.

Excellent post as always Bob!

I think Achane is a good comp. Blue will be an excellent weapon to have. I can see him occasionally lining up in the slot in some situations.

What he’s not is a bell cow who will get 15-20 rushes per game. He will need to be paired up with other runners.

 

[BlindFaith]

The Cowboys 5th round draft pick RB Jaydon Blue is an intriguing player with lots of speed and elusiveness. That is certainly a skill missing from this team’s RBs since maybe Zeke’s rookie year. In 2016.

While Blue has blazing 4.25 speed and adds a welcome big play threat to this offense, he’s not particularly big nor has ever been “the guy” in terms of carries and touches while playing 3 seasons at the University of Texas.

Let’s look at what Jaydon Blue’s stats were as a RB as a Texas Longhorn over his 3 seasons there:

• 2022 season (Freshman season- played in 9 games)
  
  • Rushing: 15 carries for 33 yards, 2.2 yds per carry, 0 TDs
  • Receiving: 0 receptions
  • Total touches/yards- 15/33 yards, 0TDs
  • Avg 1.6 touches per game
• 2023 season (Soph season, played in 14 games)
  • Rushing: 65 carries for 398 yards, 6.1 yds pc., 3 TDs
  • Receiving: 14 receptions for 135 yds, 9.6 yds pc., 4 TDs
  • Total touches/yards: 79/533, 6.7 yds per play, 7 TDs
  • Avg. 5.6 touches per game, avg 38 yards per game.
• 2024 season (Junior and final season at UT, played in 15 games)
  • Rushing: 134 carries for 730 yards, 5.4 yds pc, 8 TDs
  • Receiving: 42 receptions for 368 yds, 8.8 yds pc, 6 TDs
  • Total touches/yards: 176/1,098 yards, 6.2 yds per play, 14 TDs
  • Avg. 11.7 touches per game, avg 73.2 yards per game
• TOTALS OVER 3 SEASONS:
  • Rushing: 214 carries for 1,161 yards, 5.4 ypc, 11 TDs
  • Receiving: 56 receptions for 503 yds, 9.0 per reception, 10 TDs
  • Total touches/yards: 270 touches, 1,664 yds, 6.2 avg per play.
  • Total touches avg for 3 yrs: 38 games, 7.1 touches per game, 44 yds per game.

So over his three seasons at Texas, Blue averaged 7.1 touches per game for 44 yds per game. A better, more accurate look at what he can be is better captured in his numbers last year where he averaged about 12 touches a game for 73 yards per game.

CONCLUSIONS

• Jaydon Blue is fast, versatile and averaged about 6 yards per play in college. That’s very good, but not a particularly big workload.
• Blue is clearly not an every down back and will probably be a 8-12 touches a game at most as a rookie.
• If Jaydon Blue receives the largest share of carries for the Cowboys, it will be the FIRST time since he was a high school RB. He never led the longhorns in rushing yards or carries.
• I think Blue will make some big plays but I don’t expect to see him be more than part of a committee. Still glad he’s a Cowboy.

He ran a 4.38 at the combine. At 196 lbs.
Zeke ran a 4.44 at 225.

Thats a quarter blink difference.

Lets just see if this 5th round pick even gets playing time, let alone makes any significant contribution.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

He ran a 4.38 at the combine. At 196 lbs.
Zeke ran a 4.44 at 225.

Thats a quarter blink difference.

Lets just see if this 5th round pick even gets playing time, let alone makes any significant contribution.

Saying Blue is similar in speed to 2016 Zeke is not a slight. Recall how explosive Zeke was when he got here. Scored on 60 yard runs and 80 yard screen passes his rookie year. Prime Zeke was the most complete back in the NFL, not the broken down guy of the past few years.

 

[Teague31]

Is - the best RB in the league

Isn’t - anywhere near Darius Jackson levels.

 

[ChronicCowboy]

Blue is the next Jahmyr Gibbs you hater.

 

[BlindFaith]

Saying Blue is similar in speed to 2016 Zeke is not a slight. Recall how explosive Zeke was when he got here. Scored on 60 yard runs and 80 yard screen passes his rookie year. Prime Zeke was the most complete back in the NFL, not the broken down guy of the past few years.

Not a slight at all. Its why Zeke was a top 10 pick and instant contributor.

There are also reasons why Blue was a 5th round pick and should be looked at as a bonus if hes even active on game days and gives us a few plays somewhere.

The annoiting from fans is ridiculous.

 

[mcmvp]

True but the tires are pretty small.

He’s got a place in the NFL, for sure…if his work ethic is there. But he’s unlikely to be a heavy contributor for any team

 

[Diehardblues]

The Cowboys 5th round draft pick RB Jaydon Blue is an intriguing player with lots of speed and elusiveness. That is certainly a skill missing from this team’s RBs since maybe Zeke’s rookie year. In 2016.

While Blue has blazing 4.25 speed and adds a welcome big play threat to this offense, he’s not particularly big nor has ever been “the guy” in terms of carries and touches while playing 3 seasons at the University of Texas.

Let’s look at what Jaydon Blue’s stats were as a RB as a Texas Longhorn over his 3 seasons there:

• 2022 season (Freshman season- played in 9 games)
  
  • Rushing: 15 carries for 33 yards, 2.2 yds per carry, 0 TDs
  • Receiving: 0 receptions
  • Total touches/yards- 15/33 yards, 0TDs
  • Avg 1.6 touches per game
• 2023 season (Soph season, played in 14 games)
  • Rushing: 65 carries for 398 yards, 6.1 yds pc., 3 TDs
  • Receiving: 14 receptions for 135 yds, 9.6 yds pc., 4 TDs
  • Total touches/yards: 79/533, 6.7 yds per play, 7 TDs
  • Avg. 5.6 touches per game, avg 38 yards per game.
• 2024 season (Junior and final season at UT, played in 15 games)
  • Rushing: 134 carries for 730 yards, 5.4 yds pc, 8 TDs
  • Receiving: 42 receptions for 368 yds, 8.8 yds pc, 6 TDs
  • Total touches/yards: 176/1,098 yards, 6.2 yds per play, 14 TDs
  • Avg. 11.7 touches per game, avg 73.2 yards per game
• TOTALS OVER 3 SEASONS:
  • Rushing: 214 carries for 1,161 yards, 5.4 ypc, 11 TDs
  • Receiving: 56 receptions for 503 yds, 9.0 per reception, 10 TDs
  • Total touches/yards: 270 touches, 1,664 yds, 6.2 avg per play.
  • Total touches avg for 3 yrs: 38 games, 7.1 touches per game, 44 yds per game.

So over his three seasons at Texas, Blue averaged 7.1 touches per game for 44 yds per game. A better, more accurate look at what he can be is better captured in his numbers last year where he averaged about 12 touches a game for 73 yards per game.

CONCLUSIONS

• Jaydon Blue is fast, versatile and averaged about 6 yards per play in college. That’s very good, but not a particularly big workload.
• Blue is clearly not an every down back and will probably be a 8-12 touches a game at most as a rookie.
• If Jaydon Blue receives the largest share of carries for the Cowboys, it will be the FIRST time since he was a high school RB. He never led the longhorns in rushing yards or carries.
• I think Blue will make some big plays but I don’t expect to see him be more than part of a committee. Still glad he’s a Cowboy.

And there’s nothing wrong with having that. He’s a potential big play weapon off the bench.

But if we think or try to implement him as the starter with 20-25 carries or touches a game it’s likely not going well. Most likely he won’t be durable enough.

 

[Kwyn]

The Cowboys 5th round draft pick RB Jaydon Blue is an intriguing player with lots of speed and elusiveness. That is certainly a skill missing from this team’s RBs since maybe Zeke’s rookie year. In 2016.

While Blue has blazing 4.25 speed and adds a welcome big play threat to this offense, he’s not particularly big nor has ever been “the guy” in terms of carries and touches while playing 3 seasons at the University of Texas.

Let’s look at what Jaydon Blue’s stats were as a RB as a Texas Longhorn over his 3 seasons there:

• 2022 season (Freshman season- played in 9 games)
  
  • Rushing: 15 carries for 33 yards, 2.2 yds per carry, 0 TDs
  • Receiving: 0 receptions
  • Total touches/yards- 15/33 yards, 0TDs
  • Avg 1.6 touches per game
• 2023 season (Soph season, played in 14 games)
  • Rushing: 65 carries for 398 yards, 6.1 yds pc., 3 TDs
  • Receiving: 14 receptions for 135 yds, 9.6 yds pc., 4 TDs
  • Total touches/yards: 79/533, 6.7 yds per play, 7 TDs
  • Avg. 5.6 touches per game, avg 38 yards per game.
• 2024 season (Junior and final season at UT, played in 15 games)
  • Rushing: 134 carries for 730 yards, 5.4 yds pc, 8 TDs
  • Receiving: 42 receptions for 368 yds, 8.8 yds pc, 6 TDs
  • Total touches/yards: 176/1,098 yards, 6.2 yds per play, 14 TDs
  • Avg. 11.7 touches per game, avg 73.2 yards per game
• TOTALS OVER 3 SEASONS:
  • Rushing: 214 carries for 1,161 yards, 5.4 ypc, 11 TDs
  • Receiving: 56 receptions for 503 yds, 9.0 per reception, 10 TDs
  • Total touches/yards: 270 touches, 1,664 yds, 6.2 avg per play.
  • Total touches avg for 3 yrs: 38 games, 7.1 touches per game, 44 yds per game.

So over his three seasons at Texas, Blue averaged 7.1 touches per game for 44 yds per game. A better, more accurate look at what he can be is better captured in his numbers last year where he averaged about 12 touches a game for 73 yards per game.

CONCLUSIONS

• Jaydon Blue is fast, versatile and averaged about 6 yards per play in college. That’s very good, but not a particularly big workload.
• Blue is clearly not an every down back and will probably be a 8-12 touches a game at most as a rookie.
• If Jaydon Blue receives the largest share of carries for the Cowboys, it will be the FIRST time since he was a high school RB. He never led the longhorns in rushing yards or carries.
• I think Blue will make some big plays but I don’t expect to see him be more than part of a committee. Still glad he’s a Cowboy.

I hope that he’s not instantly saddled with expectations of being an every down back.

If he doesn’t start off on track for a thousand yards his fans will go quiet and those who root against the team will somehow call a 5th round pick a bust

 

[CT Dal Fan]

Not a slight at all. Its why Zeke was a top 10 pick and instant contributor.

There are also reasons why Blue was a 5th round pick and should be looked at as a bonus if hes even active on game days and gives us a few plays somewhere.

The annoiting from fans is ridiculous.

I agree with you. But he fell to the 5th round because he is not an every down option. The Cowboys have not had a back this fast in a very long time. Even if he only gets about seven to 12 touches per game he can produce the chunk plays out of the backfield this offense really needs.

Not saying he is going to be Dallas' next great back, but he's going to be a weapon. Personally I think Javonte Williams is going to rebound two years removed from his ACL and be the top option, but Blue is intriguing.

 

[Diehardblues]

True but the tires are pretty small.

Right. And if over used could blowout.

 

[Diehardblues]

I agree with you. But he fell to the 5th round because he is not an every down option. The Cowboys have not had a back this fast in a very long time. Even if he only gets about seven to 12 touches per game he can produce the chunk plays out of the backfield this offense really needs.

Not saying he is going to be Dallas' next great back, but he's going to be a weapon. Personally I think Javonte Williams is going to rebound two years removed from his ACL and be the top option, but Blue is intriguing.

He’d be a more effective weapon off the bench if we have a stronger running game or RB . Which means a viable starter. Which it doesn’t appear we have at this time.

 

[BlindFaith]

He’s got a place in the NFL, for sure…if his work ethic is there. But he’s unlikely to be a heavy contributor for any team

Does he? How do we know? Because of what he did in college?

Hes still small for a RB. Gonna limit 3rd downs for him. Has fumbling problems. If that remains an issue, hes not long for the team.

He has a lot of the same challenges the soon to be FA Vaughn has, except Blue has minimally acceptable measurables and high end speed.

Can he play special teams? Maybe KO returns? Will he be used more as a WR?

Way too many questions to be calling him anything more than a positional candidate.

 

[Mr_437]

I believe Blue is certainly a committee RB/weapon in the passing game or as Stephen said be a "web back" (yuck!)

You have to wonder how many touches can he command in an Offense with CeeDee, GP, Ferg, and whoever RB1 will be? I see Blue similar to Turp, you have to find ways to get him the ball, but he may get lost in the shuffle. 10 touches seems like a lot to ask for especially if another RB takes over the ground game.

 

[phildadon86]

The Cowboys 5th round draft pick RB Jaydon Blue is an intriguing player with lots of speed and elusiveness. That is certainly a skill missing from this team’s RBs since maybe Zeke’s rookie year. In 2016.

While Blue has blazing 4.25 speed and adds a welcome big play threat to this offense, he’s not particularly big nor has ever been “the guy” in terms of carries and touches while playing 3 seasons at the University of Texas.

Let’s look at what Jaydon Blue’s stats were as a RB as a Texas Longhorn over his 3 seasons there:

• 2022 season (Freshman season- played in 9 games)
  
  • Rushing: 15 carries for 33 yards, 2.2 yds per carry, 0 TDs
  • Receiving: 0 receptions
  • Total touches/yards- 15/33 yards, 0TDs
  • Avg 1.6 touches per game
• 2023 season (Soph season, played in 14 games)
  • Rushing: 65 carries for 398 yards, 6.1 yds pc., 3 TDs
  • Receiving: 14 receptions for 135 yds, 9.6 yds pc., 4 TDs
  • Total touches/yards: 79/533, 6.7 yds per play, 7 TDs
  • Avg. 5.6 touches per game, avg 38 yards per game.
• 2024 season (Junior and final season at UT, played in 15 games)
  • Rushing: 134 carries for 730 yards, 5.4 yds pc, 8 TDs
  • Receiving: 42 receptions for 368 yds, 8.8 yds pc, 6 TDs
  • Total touches/yards: 176/1,098 yards, 6.2 yds per play, 14 TDs
  • Avg. 11.7 touches per game, avg 73.2 yards per game
• TOTALS OVER 3 SEASONS:
  • Rushing: 214 carries for 1,161 yards, 5.4 ypc, 11 TDs
  • Receiving: 56 receptions for 503 yds, 9.0 per reception, 10 TDs
  • Total touches/yards: 270 touches, 1,664 yds, 6.2 avg per play.
  • Total touches avg for 3 yrs: 38 games, 7.1 touches per game, 44 yds per game.

So over his three seasons at Texas, Blue averaged 7.1 touches per game for 44 yds per game. A better, more accurate look at what he can be is better captured in his numbers last year where he averaged about 12 touches a game for 73 yards per game.

CONCLUSIONS

• Jaydon Blue is fast, versatile and averaged about 6 yards per play in college. That’s very good, but not a particularly big workload.
• Blue is clearly not an every down back and will probably be a 8-12 touches a game at most as a rookie.
• If Jaydon Blue receives the largest share of carries for the Cowboys, it will be the FIRST time since he was a high school RB. He never led the longhorns in rushing yards or carries.
• I think Blue will make some big plays but I don’t expect to see him be more than part of a committee. Still glad he’s a Cowboy.

This going to upset a lot of people.

Here I was being told that he’s better than Breece Hall, and he’s going to be the starting rb and and and.

The fans here that talk about the players on this team with 0 objectivity is hilarious.

This thread is refreshing. Thank you.

 

[Diehardblues]

I agree with you. But he fell to the 5th round because he is not an every down option. The Cowboys have not had a back this fast in a very long time. Even if he only gets about seven to 12 touches per game he can produce the chunk plays out of the backfield this offense really needs.

Not saying he is going to be Dallas' next great back, but he's going to be a weapon. Personally I think Javonte Williams is going to rebound two years removed from his ACL and be the top option, but Blue is intriguing.

I’m not sure I’d describe him as “ falling to the 5th round “. He was expected to be a middle round to 3rd day pick. Which is pretty well where he ended up.