The Dallas Cowboys added some serious juice to their offense with the selection of Texas running back Jaydon Blue at pick 149 overall in Saturday’s Day 3 of the NFL Draft.
And make no mistake; if this works, this isn’t just a depth piece.
Blue, affectionately nicknamed “Sonic the Hedgehog” by Texas fans, brings real-deal lightning to the Cowboys’ backfield. His legs seem to spin like wheels when he gets going, and he has the rare ability to turn even a basic handoff into a house call. He’s the kind of weapon that instantly eases pressure on the quarterback and threatens defenses to the perimeter and as a pass catcher — a perfect fit for the modern NFL.
And here’s something else Cowboys fans need to know: Blue doesn’t just flash on tape — he’s verified fast. He clocked a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash and boasts a 10.7-second 100-meter dash from his high school track days, putting him on par with some of the fastest playmakers in today’s NFL.
In fact, you could argue that the 100-meter speed is even more relevant when projecting true home-run hitters, because it proves he sustains his top-end speed far beyond 40 yards. That’s rare. Even better? Blue enters the NFL with remarkably low tread on his tires after spending his college career stuck behind an embarrassment of riches at Texas — Bijan Robinson, Roschon Johnson, Jonathan Brooks, and Keilan Robinson, all draft picks themselves.
That combination of elite speed, fresh legs, and untapped upside makes Jaydon Blue a fascinating addition to the Cowboys’ offense.
Also worth noting Blue’s 10 yard split is .6 seconds faster than the average NFL running-back.
That said, Blue (6-0, 200) does come with some caveats.
He struggled with ball security at Texas, and he doesn’t project as a sledgehammer-type back you can lean on for grinding out tough yards between the tackles. He’s more finesse than force — but when used properly, he was in college an absolute game-changer.
In fact, Blue’s receiving skills out of the backfield could open up a whole new wrinkle for the Cowboys’ offense. Two-minute drills, spread looks, quick tempo — he’s tailor-made for it. He even has enough receiver-polish to get some reps from the slot if Dallas wants to get creative.
But if the Cowboys truly want to maximize their backfield, there’s one more move to consider: pairing Blue’s lightning with a sledgehammer. A player like Damian Martinez or Kyle Monangai could give Dallas a one-two punch eerily similar to what the Lions rode to success with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
Jaden Blue solves a huge part of the Cowboys’ offensive equation. But one more running back move could make this very fun.
