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

[BlindFaith]

Thomas? You mean we have Sanders, Williams, Luepke, and Blue. I think those are all active game 1.

I see you also think RB is very important to the run, whereas I'd say it's somewhat important but the line is more important.

You can see that by seeing what Saquan did in NY vs Philthy.

Yep, sorry, meant Williams.

Yes, a good RB can mask a lot of inefficiencies in the OL. Same for QB.

Thats why you dont see teams with multiple first round picks in the OL. Except for us.

And no other team has two first round guards. Simply ridiculous.

And Saquan did pretty good in NY. Considering he had no QB and a revolving door at OC.

 

[Bobhaze]

Thomas? You mean we have Sanders, Williams, Luepke, and Blue. I think those are all active game 1.

I see you also think RB is very important to the run, whereas I'd say it's somewhat important but the line is more important.

You can see that by seeing what Saquan did in NY vs Philthy.

Yeah but we don’t have a Saquon.

 

[America's Cowboy]

What are you talking about? Pollard was a 4.40 guy and weighed 209 when drafted. He played sparringly his rookie year.

No way Blue sees 12 touches a game. If he does, this team is in far more dire straits than what I currently have them as.

I cant count on Jed and son doing the right thing, but Id be looking for any and every opportunity to get a real RB in here. Lot of RBs drafted this year so there should be some capable starters released or available for trade when ps winds down.

You really don't get it. Just watch, Jaydon will be the lead RB before this season is over with.

 

[GMO415]

Can a RB by committee get over 2K yards? Lets hope so.

 

[_sturt_]

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.

Think all that is fair.

I'm thinking of him as a young Tony Pollard who is going to get his chance to impress a season or two earlier than Tony did... and who, if he can be cured of his ball security issues, will be an asset.

Addendum, I remain convinced that if we took 7 RBs (not counting FB) to Oxnard in 2024 when we already had a good idea who was going to be the primary ball carriers on opening day... we sure as hell are going to be taking at least one more than the five who are currently on the roster.

My conjecture is that they wanted to get some look at guys these next few days, but that the expectation is that someone will get added before the trucks leave for Cali.

In that vein, reading a lot about the Falcons' Tyler Allgeier probably being available. A couple of inches shorter and 10 pounds lighter than Mafah, but he's been productive behind Bijan, and the Falcons may consider him expendable as he enters his final contract year, and thinking they may turn to Jase McClellan instead.

​

 

[quickccc]

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 don't think Blue has to be a workload RB .

- You have to know what kind of RB Blue is ..and scheme & design him as so... but several coaches just dunno anything different than to pound & ground down RBs to the bone..one reason why many RBs have short lived careers ..

- Do we have the kind of coaches that know how to properly use and scheme Blue ?
i remember how McCarthy, " Sorry " Solari & Jeff Glasko decided to use Tony Pollard .. basic right up the middle gut poudning only, (as if they wanted him to be
Emmitt Smith)

- You have to take Blue as Lions does with Gibbs, .. as Bills do with James Cook... Don't bell -cow pound them to death..

- and you did point the " touches " well... but those touches may also include both rush carries as well as scheming him in pass game - ala mis-direction & screen-plays,...quick swing flairs... wheel routes,.. isolation plays.. than just mere dump-offs.

 

[Pass2Run]

- I don't think Blue has to be a workload RB .

- You have to know what kind of RB Blue is ..and scheme & design him as so... but several coaches just dunno anything different than to pound & ground down RBs to the bone..one reason why many RBs have short lived careers ..

- Do we have the kind of coaches that know how to properly use and scheme Blue ?
i remember how McCarthy, " Sorry " Solari & Jeff Glasko decided to use Tony Pollard .. basic right up the middle gut poudning only, (as if they wanted him to be
Emmitt Smith)

- You have to take Blue as Lions does with Gibbs, .. as Bills do with James Cook... Don't bell -cow pound them to death..

- and you did point the " touches " well... but those touches may also include both rush carries as well as scheming him in pass game - ala mis-direction & screen-plays,...quick swing flairs... wheel routes,.. isolation plays.. than just mere dump-offs.

All true, but I think we see Blue lined up in the slot too.

 

[Brooksey]

True but the tires are pretty small.

His tires are the same size as Jahmyr Gibbs and Devon Achane. Gibbs worked in a committee with Montgomery with a lot of success. Achane worked well with Mostert

Jaydon Blue's size, speed and receiving skillset translate to the modern NFL, he can do a lot with 8-12 touches.

We need Javonte Williams to return to pre-injury form

 

[Jarv]

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.

Have faith my friend!

 

[BlindFaith]

Have faith my friend!

We shall see

 

[shabazz]

True but the tires are pretty small.

Hes basically same height and weight of jahmyr Gibbs and I think he averages about 12-15 carries per game so if Blue can average 12 carries and 4.5 per carry it would be damn good for a rookie campaign.

The comp is based only on weight, height, speed and even their ypc in college.......his NFL abilities are 100% unknown

 

[Bobhaze]

His tires are the same size as Jahmyr Gibbs and Devon Achane. Gibbs worked in a committee with Montgomery with a lot of success. Achane worked well with Mostert

Jaydon Blue's size, speed and receiving skillset translate to the modern NFL, he can do a lot with 8-12 touches.

We need Javonte Williams to return to pre-injury form

Right. I’ve never Blue’s skill set wouldn’t translate to the NFL. And I said earlier Achane was a good comp. Gibbs might be a stretch although I agree that Archane and Gibbs have flourished in committees which I believe Blue can as well.

In the OP I simply showed that he’s never averaged more than 11.7 touches per game in college. I also said he was fast, versatile and that I expect him to make some big plays. I just don’t expect him to be the primary ball carrier.

Hes basically same height and weight of jahmyr Gibbs and I think he averages about 12-15 carries per game so if Blue can average 12 carries and 4.5 per carry it would be damn good for a rookie campaign.

The comp is based only on weight, height, speed and even their ypc in college.......his NFL abilities are 100% unknown

Gibbs was the 12th pick of the first round. Blue was a mid 5th round pick. They are similar in size and speed but not necessarily skills.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

We aren’t designing a offende around a RB with our WR’s. But if you was with blue you run at the edges, get him the ball in space on dump offs and get him involved in passing game. He didn’t get a lot of carries in college but that was a choice of the coaches and doesn’t mean he couldn’t handle more. I think we will use 2-3 backs early on. Let things shake out early. I like seeing him used as a reciever some. He runs really good routes for a RB. In fact he looks like WR with his route running. It think he can be used in various ways but I don’t see us using any of our RB 25 runs a game anyway

Super important for a RB to run a good route. Usually not the first look....so after a scan...the QB can dump it off easier if he knows where rb is.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

Right. I’ve never Blue’s skill set wouldn’t translate to the NFL. And I said earlier Achane was a good comp. Gibbs might be a stretch although I agree that Archane and Gibbs have flourished in committees which I believe Blue can as well.

In the OP I simply showed that he’s never averaged more than 11.7 touches per game in college. I also said he was fast, versatile and that I expect him to make some big plays. I just don’t expect him to be the primary ball carrier.

Gibbs was the 12th pick of the first round. Blue was a mid 5th round pick. They are similar in size and speed but not necessarily skills.

The touches per game caught my interest. So I did some crunching. My numbers are slightly skewed...as I didn't look up actual number of games by each player. I used 13. I looked at the top 50 NCAA RBs according to ESPN. I threw out the obscene Jeanty stat (more on that later)

That 2nd player (Skattebo) had about 22.5 (atts). The 50th player (Morrow) had about 14.

(more on that later? The actual 50th player had more carries than the 47th...so it could be totally legit to throw out the 1st and 50th player in the list. The interesting thing which I think applies to your point is...Henderson (tOSU) had about 11 carries for a 1000+ yards. (Looks like the least amount of season carries at 144.). His counterpart Judkinis had about 15 also for a 1000+ yards. The ultimate "committee"! NatChamps!

combined, very close to Jeanty's totals. But then who did Boise St play? Might be a grain of salt there.

These tOSU numbers are probably more skewed than others given the amount of games they played. They actually played 16 games not 13. Making henderson 9 and judkins 12.

Another interesting thing is both guys stayed healthy all year...a bit rare for tOSU's long physical schedule.

Point being RB by committee might not be a bad thing IF you have talent and scheme.

Now Ohio State has a plethora of riches other teams might not have...and NCCA RB by committee is probably easier for the big school. But I'm looking into if "committee" is a trend.

 

[Bobhaze]

The touches per game caught my interest. So I did some crunching. My numbers are slightly skewed...as I didn't look up actual number of games by each player. I used 13. I looked at the top 50 NCAA RBs according to ESPN. I threw out the obscene Jeanty stat (more on that later)

That 2nd player (Skattebo) had about 22.5 (atts). The 50th player (Morrow) had about 14.

(more on that later? The actual 50th player had more carries than the 47th...so it could be totally legit to throw out the 1st and 50th player in the list. The interesting thing which I think applies to your point is...Henderson (tOSU) had about 11 carries for a 1000+ yards. (Looks like the least amount of season carries at 144.). His counterpart Judkinis had about 15 also for a 1000+ yards. The ultimate "committee"! NatChamps!

combined, very close to Jeanty's totals. But then who did Boise St play? Might be a grain of salt there.

These tOSU numbers are probably more skewed than others given the amount of games they played. They actually played 16 games not 13. Making henderson 9 and judkins 12.

Another interesting thing is both guys stayed healthy all year...a bit rare for tOSU's long physical schedule.

Point being RB by committee might not be a bad thing IF you have talent and scheme.

Now Ohio State has a plethora of riches other teams might not have...and NCCA RB by committee is probably easier for the big school. But I'm looking into if "committee" is a trend.

Good work Steve. And your point about running back by committee being dominant in college is true. It’s even common in the NFL now unless you have a Saquon Barkley or Derrick Henry.

Some additional thoughts based on your points:

• When looking at college stats and maybe more importantly, college game films, it’s important to remember two things-
  • We should remember that star college players from big programs like Ohio State, Texas, Alabama, etc are often surrounded by loads of NFL talent which can make them look better in college than they will in the NFL.
  • The disparity in talent levels between college and the NFL are huge. Every NFL player - even backups - were stars on their college teams. In other words everyone is really good in the NFL as opposed to just a few in college.

I really like your point about the Ohio State backs making an unbelievable committee. Henderson and Judkins made the most of their touches..

If Jaydon Blue gets 8-12 touches a game and can just turn that into an occasional home run play, he will greatly help the Cowboys offense.

 

[Johannes44]

Watching him with the longhorns I always felt they should have used him more for passing than rushing. His size makes him not ideal to keep handing the ball to run against larger linemen and linebackers. Better suited to get him in space and have him go against secondary guys.

 

[Aven8]

He could be an every down back for all we know. UT has been so loaded at RB it’s hard to determine without seeing him yet.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

Good work Steve. And your point about running back by committee being dominant in college is true. It’s even common in the NFL now unless you have a Saquon Barkley or Derrick Henry.

Some additional thoughts based on your points:

• When looking at college stats and maybe more importantly, college game films, it’s important to remember two things-
  • We should remember that star college players from big programs like Ohio State, Texas, Alabama, etc are often surrounded by loads of NFL talent which can make them look better in college than they will in the NFL.
  • The disparity in talent levels between college and the NFL are huge. Every NFL player - even backups - were stars on their college teams. In other words everyone is really good in the NFL as opposed to just a few in college.

I really like your point about the Ohio State backs making an unbelievable committee. Henderson and Judkins made the most of their touches..

If Jaydon Blue gets 8-12 touches a game and can just turn that into an occasional home run play, he will greatly help the Cowboys offense.

Right-O!

When I said "talent and scheme"...not JUST the RB. And "not every team has plethora of riches"...I mean not just having talent but buying it. $$$$$!

Ohio State can reload up and I don't think even Texas can keep up with that. Now that I think about it...a Captain Obvious statement.

I think we are hoping a little boost on the o-line, an improved WR corps, some fresh coaching blood...are going to help "open up" our run game no matter who totes. Yes?

 

[Bamx]

Hes basically same height and weight of jahmyr Gibbs and I think he averages about 12-15 carries per game so if Blue can average 12 carries and 4.5 per carry it would be damn good for a rookie campaign.

The comp is based only on weight, height, speed and even their ypc in college.......his NFL abilities are 100% unknown

For the 2024 season Gibbs had 65 more carries than Montgomery due to him getting injured. Overall, Gibbs showed last season that he could be the primary main #1 RB .

Also, for the 2024 season Achane was the primary RB with 118 carries more than the next closest (Rasheem Moster) at 85 carriers

Achane did get a little more banged up during that time than Gibbs, but both showed they are capable of carrying a full season workload if needed.

 

[blueblood70]

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.

FYI,

Anybody who watches the Longhorns on a regular basis and I know it sounds biased,​

​

the man was stuck behind about six blue chip, five star players, it's kind of hard to be given a lot of targets when you make promises to other players... this man got lost in the mix, very similar to Tony Pollard ,a lot of tread on his tires, there was a lot of unknowns but once he got the play in a more touches he got the more dynamic, he became that was a steal for the Cowboys in the 4th and this is going to be a steal for the Cowboys in the 5th IMHO.​

Anybody who truly knows the Longhorns it wasn't just about the running back depth which was ridiculous he got stuck behind the other targets they like to spread the ball around they had a lot of receivers that also got a lot of carries behind a line of scrimmage motions they dumped the ball off to the tight ends etc... I mean it was a loaded offense, that loved to spread the ball around.

In my opinion he just simply got lost in the mix,​

​

he has all the talent in the world to be a Jamyr Gibbs in this league but I don't want to go that far and I don't want to sound bias but I watched him play he's got the same body type as Barry Sanders close to Emmett Smith but he has the exact everything that Jamyr Gibbs has,​

​

but I'll just go with Tony Pollard let's let that be his floor and I believe he can be if this offense can get him an offensive line and call the correct plays that fits his style at first he should just be splitting carries he isn't need to be the starter he needs to be Tony Pollard early on before he got injured..​

​

he needs to be in the rotation and not forgotten and hopefully this new staff can have a run game that has the right play collar and the play designer too get everything you can out of a player like blue.​

This is not luck or jet or any of the deuce comparisons, he's also not a three down back or a power back like Ezekiel Elliott but he matches guys like Reggie Bush and again I'm not saying he's Reggie Bush but look at their careers most of their careers they were accent players he's a lot even like Kamara.. I know right too big of names, I'm not saying he's going to become them, but they were best being utilized in a running back by committee either 2 or 3 back systems and you can get more out of them and keep them dynamic by doing so..

I actually believe with the players we have the coaches will pick the best RBBC but I think blue is going to be a lot more dynamic than people are giving him credit for it they're trying to find reasons not to like the guy because he was taken in the 5th round and he wasn't used much in college.

I watched the guy he literally was the spark plug this year every time the offense got slowed down and they needed something he's the one that was making those plays I know it doesn't look like that on the stat sheet but don't let that fool you he can play football he's a real running back he just needs to touch his but not too many touches but that doesn't make him a gadget player..

IMHO I look at Alvin Kamara when Ingram was there he was a better player go look at his stats now has he even had a 1000 yard season, I don't know Reggie Bush for most of his career was a 600 yard back that can give you six or seven touchdowns but give you a lot out of the backfield as a receiver yes he had a couple really great seasons but he also played a very long time..

So like Tony Pollard he was better when he was the change of pace guy when he wasn't being forced up inside every play he's still pretty solid player but in my opinion it wasn't the injury he was not as effective when he got too many carries.....

TBD

No guarantees but I just see more in this guy than most and maybe it's because I watched him play and saw the effect he had on the Texas offense when he played but just like when we saw Quinn Ewers that's right going back to Texas and the way SARK runs an offense that way,

Manning didn't get enough snaps this year, manning should have a whole lot more possessions, not plays ,possessions,​

​

he didn't need to be the starter but this man was not utilized to his best traits, and could have got a lot of experience going into this year by having a lot more possessions in every game and he did not..​

​

that's just the way Sark does things, he makes up his mind and he's only going to use the players that he made the biggest promises to as long as they're healthy. He flat out refused to pull Quinn Ewers even when he was struggling even when he knew he may not have a better player on the bench I saw it then they claim Quinn was injured a lot of the end of the year never got right and yet still didn't want to pull the guy because they didn't want to create a controversy he made promises he stuck to it and that's why I think blue got lost in the mix...​

Blue got lost in the mix and now hes found LOL LFG!!