Cowboys RB Jaydon Blue needs to earn the RB2 role this offseason

TL;DR

Dallas Cowboys RB Jaydon Blue must prove himself to secure the RB2 role this offseason. After a lackluster rookie season, he showed potential in the final game but needs to improve consistency and professionalism.

Key points

Jaydon Blue was drafted in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL draft.
He played only five games in his rookie season due to an ankle injury.
Blue rushed for 64 yards and a touchdown in the final game of the season.

Dallas CowboysJaydon BlueJavonte WilliamsMiles Sanders

The Dallas Cowboys had high hopes for rookie running back Jaydon Blue, after drafting him out of Texas in the fifth-round of the 2025 NFL draft. Unfortunately, leading up to training camp last year, reports started to surface about Blue’s professionalism and maturity before the team got to Oxnard. Those reports seemed to be true, as Blue only saw action in five games in a healthy rookie season (once recovered from preseason ankle injury), with no great option behind Javonte Williams as the teams RB2.

In the final game of the 2025 season, Cowboys fans got a glimpse of why Blue was highly-touted in the draft. In Week 18 against the New York Giants, Blue rushed 16 times for 64 yards and a touchdown. Blue’s ability to generate explosive plays on the ground or as a receiver were never an issue, but his ability to pass protect, take care of the football, and take the Monday through Saturday stuff seriously seemed to be.

Head coach Brian Schottenheimer spoke multiple times about Blue needing to be more consistent in practice in order to earn a jersey on gameday. We saw multiple times last year how seriously first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer took the missing curfew, meetings, and/or not being consistent in practices.

Heading into the 2025 season, the Cowboys had veteran running back Miles Sanders to lean on as a trustworthy backup option to Javonte Williams. Heading into training camp in 2026, there are no standouts to earn the backup running back job behind Williams. Blue’s skillset is a perfect complement to Williams, and his ability to impact the game as both a runner and receiver would be an excellent addition to the Cowboys offense that could use more explosive gains from their running game.

Q&A

What does Jaydon Blue need to do to earn the RB2 role for the Cowboys?

Jaydon Blue needs to demonstrate consistency in practice and improve his professionalism to earn the RB2 role behind Javonte Williams.

How did Jaydon Blue perform in his rookie season with the Cowboys?

In his rookie season, Jaydon Blue played in five games and rushed for 64 yards and a touchdown in the final game against the New York Giants.

Who is the current backup running back for the Cowboys behind Javonte Williams?

As of now, the Cowboys have veteran running back Miles Sanders as a reliable backup option behind Javonte Williams.