The national media loves to rag on the Dallas Cowboys, but analysts and reporters alike have had nothing but positive things to say about the team's NFL Draft class. It is easy to be excited about the additions of Tyler Booker, Donovan Ezeiuraku and Shavon Revel, but one of Dallas' Day 3 picks has generated arguably the most excitement of any selection. That player is none other than Texas running back Jaydon Blue, who the Cowboys selected in the fifth round.
ESPN analyst Louis Riddick, who was linked with some general manager vacancies earlier this offseason, compiled a list of the draft's most underrated players for every team and nominated Blue for America's Team. The criteria for this list? Players who Riddick believes can be a significant contributor or starter within the next two or three years.
Cowboys rookie RB Jaydon Blue is all the rage after 2025 NFL Draft Time for the 4th annual list of my one favorite non-first round prospect (tried to NOT select obvious 2nd rounders as well) from EACH team in the 2025 draft that could be a significant contributor/starter within the next 2-3 years: ARZ: Cody Simon – LB – OHST ATL: Xavier Watts -… — Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) May 1, 2025 It wasn't long ago that the Cowboys struck gold with DaRon Bland in round five. Bland set the NFL record for most pick-sixes in a season and is regarded as one of the best ball-hawking cornerbacks in the league. Bland, though, did not generate nearly as much buzz as Blue when he was drafted.
Must-Read: Cowboys' Amari Cooper reunion more realistic than ever after new report While one of Javonte Williams or Miles Sanders will likely open the season as the starter, Blue's home-run speed and short-area explosiveness will give head coach and presumptive play-caller Brian Schottenheimer no choice but to get him on the field. A former track sprinter, Blue clocked a 4.38 40-yard at the Combine. That is ridiculously fast, but he claimed after the draft that he has sub-4.3 speed.
Having long speed is one thing, but the former Longhorn has the requisite footwork and balance to force missed tackles. It is rare that Blue does not win a 1-v-1 matchup in the open field. Blue might have been more highly regarded in this draft if he hadn't been stuck behind some star ball-carriers at Texas.
In 2022, he was fifth on the totem pole behind Bijan Robinson (! ), Roschon Johnson, Jonathan Brooks and Keilan Robinson. The following year he was behind Brooks and C.J.
Baxter. While Blue only started five games at Texas, he averaged an elite 5.4 yards per carry and caught 56 passes over the last two seasons despite competing with future NFL receivers Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell, Matthew Golden and Jordan Whittington for targets. For reasons out of his control, Blue is a player who hasn't come close to scratching the surface of his potential.
Despite the lack of experience, multiple analysts have circled him as one of their favorite picks of the entire draft, with Riddick being the latest to join the bandwagon.
