The Dallas Cowboys chose to pass on some of the best available running backs in what was regarded as an incredibly deep 2025 NFL Draft class, as they waited until the fifth round to pick someone else. However, the player they picked is a local product in Texas alum Jaydon Blue, who could hit his stride in the right scheme.
Blue will likely start his Cowboys career as the third-string running back on the depth chart behind Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders, though many around the NFL believe it won't take long for him to eventually earn a major role in their starting lineup.
NFL.com declared that Blue was the top sleeper among Dallas' draft picks, especially considering their subpar running back room. To make things even more enticing for Cowboys fans, Blue has started to receive comparisons to another running back from a Texas school who has emerged as one of the best young players at his position.
The "Mockdraftable" website provides accurate player comparisons based on their athletic scores, and Blue was compared to speedy Miami Dolphins back De'Von Achane. If the Cowboys drafted Achane in the fifth round, that is one heck of a way for Will McClay to reinforce this roster.
Cowboys rookie RB Jaydon Blue gets compared to Devon Achane
Blue was overshadowed by a pass-happy Texas offense led by Quinn Ewers, Matthew Golden, and Isaiah Bond. However, Blue proved to be a solid replacement for Bijan Robinson in the Longhorns backfield. Blue ran for 730 yards and eight touchdowns despite also splitting some carries.
Blue may not have the workload that many of the other top backs in this class have, but his speed and playmaking ability, despite playing in an offense that was not constructed to get the most out of him, could translate to some improved stats in a run-heavy Brian Schottenheimer attack.
Achane had the good fortune of going to a very creative offensive mind in Mike McDaniel that could create very innovative ways to get him the ball in space and create running lanes. Schottenheimer is not in that class, however, which could make it tough for Blue to replicate Achane.
However, Blue might have enough untapped potential to become Dallas' next RB1. Schottenheimer isn't too creative of an offensive mind, but he does have a history of creating very strong running games, and Blue could end up benefiting from that.