Jaydon Blue Fantasy Football Outlook 2025: Rookie Sleeper?
The Dallas Cowboys have had some of the best running backs in NFL history on their team. Emmitt Smith, Herschel Walker, and Tony Dorsett are three of the best running backs in league history, having played for the Cowboys at some point in their careers. Today, I’ll break down the newest Cowboys running back with this Jaydon Blue fantasy football outlook for 2025 and beyond.
Dallas has somewhat ignored the running back position since using a first-round pick on Ezekiel Elliott in 2016. Many expected the Cowboys to select a running back in the 2025 NFL Draft. Yet, the team didn’t select a running back. Despite losing Rico Dowdle in free agency, Dallas didn’t use a top 100 pick on a running back. Ultimately, they waited until the fifth round to select rookie RB Jaydon Blue.
Jaydon Blue Fantasy Football Outlook 2025
Can Jaydon Blue have an instant fantasy football impact in 2025 with the Cowboys? Or will he be a one-year stopgap until the Saints draft their franchise quarterback in the much-heralded 2026 class? Continue reading as we break down the fantasy football impact of Blue with the Dallas Cowboys.
Jaydon Blue Strengths
Blue is the latest running back out of Texas to get drafted, joining Bijan Robinson, Jonathon Brooks, Roschon Johnson, and Keilan Robinson as former Longhorns selected in the past three years. He had a breakout 2024 season, earning a co-starter role with Brooks heading to the NFL and C.J. Baxter suffering a season-ending injury in spring practice.
After a quiet first two years at Texas, Blue had 134 rushing attempts for 730 yards and eight touchdowns last season, leading the team in scores. He is an explosive runner who can take any touch to the house. More importantly, Blue can be a massive factor in the passing game.
The former Texas star had 42 receptions for 368 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 2024. Blue finished fourth on the team in receiving touchdowns and first in offensive scores (14) despite having fewer than 180 touches.
Meanwhile, Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders are the two veterans in the Cowboys’ backfield. However, both signed one-year deals with the team this offseason for little money, meaning they are far from guaranteed anything in 2025. Blue’s explosiveness and impact in the passing game could land him a starting role as a rookie.
Jaydon Blue Weakness
Unfortunately, Blue’s fifth-round draft capital plays a significant role in his fantasy value. Historically, running backs drafted outside the top 100 picks don’t have long fantasy careers. More importantly, Blue has never been the leader running back.
Last year, he split work with Quintrevion Wisner. Blue had 134 rushing attempts and 176 touches while Wisner had 226 and 270. Therefore, fantasy players shouldn’t expect him to have a featured role as a rookie or ever in his career. Furthermore, Blue doesn’t profile as a goal-line runner, limiting his fantasy upside.
Jaydon Blue Fantasy Football Outlook in 2025
The best part about Blue’s fantasy profile is the landing spot. Dallas has an improved offensive line, a lack of options in the short-area passing game, and a backfield with two subpar running backs. The former Longhorns star could be an excellent late-round pick in 2025 redraft leagues if he can win the starting role.
Blue isn’t the same level of skill as De’Von Achane. However, the two running backs are similar players. Both are smaller running backs with massive explosiveness and talent in the passing game. Furthermore, Blue and Achane were mid-round picks that landed in a fantasy-friendly situation with ineffective veterans ahead of them on the depth chart.
Calling for Blue to have an Achane-like rookie season is a reach. However, don’t be surprised if the former Texas star is a top-24 running back in 2025 with a little luck.
Jaydon Blue Dynasty Outlook
Unfortunately, Day 3 running back picks rarely have fantasy value past their first few seasons. However, that trend has slightly changed over the past few years. Bucky Irving was a rookie star last season as a fourth-round pick. Austin Ekeler was a superstar for years as an undrafted player. Isiah Pacheco has had a solid career as a seventh-round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs.
While the odds are against him, Blue is one of my favorite third-round dynasty rookie draft picks. Blue’s landing spot gives him a chance to make an immediate impact as a rookie, improving his chances of having meaningful fantasy value in 2026 and beyond.
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