Collegiate workload, different. Draft pedigree, incomparable. So why does Jaydon Blue feel so much like the next Felix Jones?
Part-time college speedster looks to take big role in Cowboys offense as rookie
The college stats are different, the draft pedigree isn't comparable in the least, but there's a ton of synergy between Jaydon Blue and Felix Jones. Back in 2008, the Cowboys drafted an SEC backup running back who was lightning in a bottle whenever he had the ball in his hand. Felix Jones wasn't "him", for the Razorbacks; that title went to Darren McFadden, who led the conference in carries and yardage in back-to-back seasons. Jones was the counterpunch to McFadden's style, and the Cowboys grabbed him initially to be the lightning to the thunder they already had in house in Marion Barber, along with third-down back Tashard Choice.
Fast forward to 2025, and the Cowboys may have a similar approach with their selection of Jaydon Blue out of Texas. Also a backup in college, Blue didn't see the volume Jones did as a amateur, mainly because the yesteryear Razorbacks had a run-first, run-second offense and Texas decidedly did not in 2024. But Blue joins the Cowboys backfield that seems to have the intention of a bigger, veteran lead back in Miles Sanders and a third-down veteran in Javonte Williams.
Blue is the fastball in the equation, but also the changeup, to butcher the baseball analogy. When Jones broke into the league his usage was sporadic to begin, but his impact great. He carried the ball six or more times in three of the team's first five games; going nine carries for 62 yards, six carries for 76 yards and nine carries for 96 yards, with all three game featuring a rushing touchdown.
That's the kind of impact new head coach Brian Schottenheimer would love to see from his rookie running back.
Rundown
Position: Running back
Age: 21
Height: 5-foot-9
Weight: 196 pounds
Hometown: Harris County, TX
High School: Klein Cain
College: Texas (College Highlights)
Draft: 2025 Fifth-round pick (No. 149 overall)
Contract: Four-year contract (2025), $4.6 million
2025 Base Salary: $840,000
Profile
Between adding Blue to the mix and giving a bigger role to Kavontae Turpin, the Cowboys have an opportunity to drastically increase their team speed on offense in 2025. Schottenheimer wants to lean on the run, and the ability to use Blue in both phases of the game, along with using Turpin out of the backfield, could see Dallas return to the top of the league's scoring.
If Jones hadn't gotten hurt, he had the potential to be a dynamic rookie runner for the Cowboys in 2008. Blue could have a similar impact, and he's started to establish himself as a weapon. After a somewhat slow start to training camp, he came on in a major way once the team put pads on a week into the camp.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Dallas Cowboys player profile: No. 34 RB Jaydon Blue
Category: Football
