{"id":47957,"date":"2025-05-13T08:53:42","date_gmt":"2025-05-13T08:53:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=47957"},"modified":"2025-05-13T08:53:42","modified_gmt":"2025-05-13T08:53:42","slug":"cowboys-officially-sign-new-starting-running-back-candidate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=47957","title":{"rendered":"Cowboys Officially Sign New Starting Running Back Candidate"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"m-detail-header--dek\">The Jaydon Blue pick has been well received by Cowboys Nation once it was made. \u2026 and now the Texas Longhorns star is signed.<\/div>\n<div class=\"m-detail-header--flexbox\">\n<div class=\"m-detail-header--meta\">\n<div class=\"m-description--list\">\n<div class=\"m-detail--body\">\n<p>FRISCO &#8211;\u00a0To the frustration of many fans, the\u00a0Dallas Cowboys\u00a0waited until Day 3 of the\u00a0NFL Draft\u00a0to find much-needed running back depth.<\/p>\n<p>But \u2026 In the fifth round, Dallas drafted the versatile Texas running back Jaydon Blue.<\/p>\n<p>And now suddenly\u00a0Cowboys\u00a0Nation seems a happy place.<\/p>\n<p>Later on in Round 7, the organization double-dipped at the position with Clemson&#8217;s Phil Mafah and his powerful run style that contradicts Blue&#8217;s electrifying speed.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-0\">\n<div class=\"m-in-content-ad not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-0\" data-zone-count=\"5\">\n<div class=\"not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d m-in-content-ad is-loaded\">\n<div id=\"ad-in_content-3ab3528bbe15491bbc0902b996d8aec6\" data-google-query-id=\"CImMhtOIoI0DFW9qDwIdKZEfvg\" data-ad-size=\"300x250\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/88059007\/athlonsports.com\/nfl\/dallas-cowboys_2__container__\"><iframe id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/88059007\/athlonsports.com\/nfl\/dallas-cowboys_2\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"3rd party ad content\" name=\"google_ads_iframe_\/88059007\/athlonsports.com\/nfl\/dallas-cowboys_2\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" aria-label=\"Advertisement\" data-load-complete=\"true\" data-google-container-id=\"3\" data-rhp=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>That now sets up a four-man competition for the summer between the two rookies and the two free agent signings Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders.<\/p>\n<p>The Blue pick has been well received by Cowboys Nation once it was made.<\/p>\n<p>It took until pick No. 149, but could have been sooner if Dallas traded into the fourth round to take him like they intended.<\/p>\n<p>Thankfully he was still available in the fifth.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-1\">\n<div class=\"m-in-content-ad not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-1\" data-zone-count=\"5\">\n<div class=\"not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d m-in-content-ad is-loaded\">\n<div id=\"ad-in_content-d2ff3e2e5f424342ad991d0087af241d\" data-google-query-id=\"CKC3wtSIoI0DFepXDwId-4AJ4w\" data-ad-size=\"300x250\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/88059007\/athlonsports.com\/nfl\/dallas-cowboys_6__container__\"><iframe id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/88059007\/athlonsports.com\/nfl\/dallas-cowboys_6\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"3rd party ad content\" name=\"google_ads_iframe_\/88059007\/athlonsports.com\/nfl\/dallas-cowboys_6\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" aria-label=\"Advertisement\" data-load-complete=\"true\" data-google-container-id=\"7\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>And now, on Monday, he the former Texas Longhorn is officially under contract after signing a four-year deal worth $4.267 million with a signing bonus of $427,068 according to ESPN.<\/p>\n<p>This leaves second-round pick Donovan Ezeiruaku as the only unsigned rookie for the Cowboys.<\/p>\n<p>According to the Cowboys&#8217; rankings going into the Draft, the scouting team believed Blue was up there with the top prospects in the running back class.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-2\">\n<div class=\"m-in-content-ad not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-2\" data-zone-count=\"5\">\n<div class=\"not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d m-in-content-ad is-loaded\">\n<div id=\"ad-in_content-273ee6266f7048f4b377b45eca72a81a\" data-google-query-id=\"CKG3wtSIoI0DFepXDwId-4AJ4w\" data-ad-size=\"0x0\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/88059007\/athlonsports.com\/nfl\/dallas-cowboys_7__container__\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/88059007\/athlonsports.com\/nfl\/dallas-cowboys_7\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"3rd party ad content\" src=\"https:\/\/2185f2e3ef341735a12d8458a05cc8b0.safeframe.googlesyndication.com\/safeframe\/1-0-44\/html\/container.html\" name=\"\" width=\"0\" height=\"173\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" sandbox=\"allow-forms allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\" data-is-safeframe=\"true\" aria-label=\"Advertisement\" data-google-container-id=\"8\" data-load-complete=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram\u00a0says there were multiple coaches who said Blue falls only behind Boise State&#8217;s Ashton Jeanty and North Carolina&#8217;s Omarion Hampton as the best ball carriers available.<\/p>\n<p>Third-best? That\u2019s shocking \u2026. But Dallas will take it.<\/p>\n<p>Getting who they thought was the third best player at his position in the fifth round is as much a steal as the Cowboys could hope for. Frankly, they were lucky teams slept on Blue and kept him available until the fifth.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-3\">\n<div class=\"m-in-content-ad not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-3\" data-zone-count=\"5\">\n<div class=\"not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d m-in-content-ad is-loaded\">\n<div id=\"ad-in_content-a9caa1f910764458b5610c8e7ea17e6e\" data-google-query-id=\"CKK3wtSIoI0DFepXDwId-4AJ4w\" data-ad-size=\"adhesion\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/88059007\/athlonsports.com\/nfl\/dallas-cowboys_8__container__\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/88059007\/athlonsports.com\/nfl\/dallas-cowboys_8\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"3rd party ad content\" src=\"https:\/\/2185f2e3ef341735a12d8458a05cc8b0.safeframe.googlesyndication.com\/safeframe\/1-0-44\/html\/container.html\" name=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" sandbox=\"allow-forms allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\" data-is-safeframe=\"true\" aria-label=\"Advertisement\" data-google-container-id=\"9\" data-load-complete=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Despite his late selection &#8211; and how many sites tell you Dallas will roll out a running-back-by-committee scheme &#8211; don&#8217;t sleep on Blue&#8217;s potential to impact the backfield in 2025.<\/p>\n<p>Going into training camp,\u00a0many inside The Star believe he could turn out to be a starter\u00a0for first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer.<\/p>\n<p>Schotty thrives with a versatile running back, and Blue may step in as the Cowboys&#8217;\u00a0best running back\u00a0pass catcher on Day 1. He racked up over 500 yards through the air over his last two seasons with the Longhorns.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-4\">\n<div class=\"m-in-content-ad not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-4\" data-zone-count=\"5\">\n<div class=\"not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d m-in-content-ad is-loaded\">\n<div id=\"ad-in_content-6502629acddd40a5ae443838a3e12604\" data-google-query-id=\"CMLMiNqIoI0DFZVfDwId320d0Q\" data-ad-size=\"adhesion\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/88059007\/athlonsports.com\/nfl\/dallas-cowboys_9__container__\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/88059007\/athlonsports.com\/nfl\/dallas-cowboys_9\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"3rd party ad content\" src=\"https:\/\/2185f2e3ef341735a12d8458a05cc8b0.safeframe.googlesyndication.com\/safeframe\/1-0-44\/html\/container.html\" name=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" sandbox=\"allow-forms allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\" data-is-safeframe=\"true\" aria-label=\"Advertisement\" data-google-container-id=\"a\" data-load-complete=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>No doubt, Blue will have to clean up his ball handling and physicality, but there is a lot to be excited about in Dallas&#8217; &#8220;slept-on&#8221; stud. His blazing 4.38 40-speed is one thing to raise your eyebrows.<\/p>\n<p>And now he\u2019s signed \u2026 a big step forward.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<footer class=\"m-detail--footer\">\n<aside class=\"m-detail--author-box\">\n<div class=\"m-detail--author-content\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/footer>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Jaydon Blue pick has been well received by Cowboys Nation once it was made. \u2026 and now the Texas Longhorns star is signed. FRISCO &#8211;\u00a0To the&#8230; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-47957","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-nfl"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Cowboys Officially Sign New Starting Running Back Candidate - 24\/7 News America<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=47957\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Cowboys Officially Sign New Starting Running Back Candidate - 24\/7 News America\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Jaydon Blue pick has been well received by Cowboys Nation once it was made. \u2026 and now the Texas Longhorns star is signed. 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