The Dallas Cowboys could not have asked for better signs from second-year running back Jaydon Blue. One of the team's biggest winners from OTAs, Blue is displaying a more mature approach after a nondescript rookie year -- one centered on preparation, discipline, and attention to detail.
Training camp will be the ultimate test if Blue can be trusted as RB2 behind Javonte Williams, but he's riding a wave of momentum into mandatory minicamp, which kicked off on Tuesday.
However, just because Blue has passed early testing doesn't necessarily mean the Cowboys are satisfied with their depth, and ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler has reported that Dallas recently worked out free-agent Zamir White, formerly of the Las Vegas Raiders.
This is nothing for the Blue truthers to be alarmed about. The Cowboys are just keeping their options open, as any team should at this point in the calendar, but it's still noteworthy.
The Dallas Cowboys reportedly worked out RB Zamir White amid the Jaydon Blue hype
Blue has clearly come a long way, but it's important to remember he played just 78 offensive snaps in Year 1, and 33 of those came in Week 18 when Dallas sat most of its starters in the second half.
The growth is encouraging, but OTAs and minicamp are littered with false positives. Cowboys fans know that better than most. Kenneth Murray generated plenty of buzz this time last year, only to become one of the league's least effective linebackers once the games started counting.
In addition to Blue, Dallas has second-year back Phil Mafah, who handled just five carries as a rookie, and veteran Malik Davis. Davis exceeded expectations when called upon last season, but one productive year shouldn't be enough for the Cowboys to ignore opportunities to improve the room.
A former fourth-round pick of the Raiders, White never found consistent footing in Las Vegas due to injuries, coaching changes, and uneven production.
He flashed potential in Year 2, rushing for 451 yards at 4.3 yards per carry, but a disappointing 2024 campaign left him on shaky ground, and the Raiders drafted Boise State sensation Ashton Jeanty No. 6 overall last year, leaving White on the outskirts of Vegas' plans.
The fact that White remains unsigned this deep into the offseason speaks to the questions teams still have about his ability. For his career, he's averaged 3.7 YPC with just 25 forced missed tackles and 13 explosive runs on 198 attempts.
As we said, his workout with Dallas is nothing for Blue believers to freak out over. The running back market does not inspire confidence. Unless the Cowboys bring in Nick Chubb for a visit, there's no reason to think Blue is on shaky ground.
Still, it's fair to wonder why Dallas is exploring veteran options at a time when Blue's stock appears to be rising.
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