Entering training camp, Malik Davis looked like the early favorite to claim the Dallas Cowboys’ RB2 job behind Javonte Williams. That picture is changing fast, and Jaydon Blue is the reason why.
Blue needed a stronger start to the offseason after a rough rookie year that left him out of the coaching staff’s trust and barely on the field in 2025. Since then, though, the 2025 fifth-round pick has started to show real progress, and head coach Brian Schottenheimer has noticed.
“Night and day from where he was last year," Schottenheimer said of Blue in June.
That momentum has carried into training camp, where Blue has already stacked together several eye-catching moments through the first two sessions. Schottenheimer even named him one of the biggest standouts from Day 1.
The Texas product followed that up Thursday with another strong showing, breaking off multiple big runs and flashing the speed and cutback burst that make him such an intriguing option.
“My speed is what I’m best at," Blue said, per Jon Machota of The Athetlic. "Once I get in the open field and it’s one-on-one, I don’t think anyone in this league can stand a chance.”
That kind of explosiveness is part of the appeal, but it’s not the only thing Dallas likes about him. Blue’s ability to catch passes out of the backfield is also drawing interest, especially with the Cowboys’ elite wide receiver duo already commanding so much defensive attention.
“I think what we feel like we have in Jaydon when you’re playing defenses that are trying to change the math and cheat to really elite receivers, which we have, there’s usually a favorable matchup in that regard,” Schotty said, per Clarence Hill of DLLS Sports.
Blue didn’t get many chances to show that receiving skill in 2025, but he did in college. After a sophomore season with 14 catches for 135 yards and one touchdown, he broke out as a junior with 42 receptions for 368 yards and six scores.
Add that pass-catching ability to his speed, and Blue is suddenly looking like a serious threat to turn the backup running back role into something more dangerous for Dallas.
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