Meet Jaydon Blue, Cowboys' new RB with 4.2 40-yard dash speed

Drew Bishop

•
Meet Jaydon Blue, Cowboys' new RB with 4.2 40-yard dash speed image

After praying for an offensive weapon through the first two days of the draft, Cowboys' fans finally got their wish on day three. 

Dallas selected running back Jaydon Blue from the University of Texas with pick 149 in the fifth round of the draft.

It's the first RB drafted by the Cowboys since Deuce Vaughn in 2023.

Blue, much like Vaughn, is a short, speedy back who had a great college career.

His quickness is probably the biggest reason he was drafted by Dallas.

Jaydon Blue's 40-yard dash time

Jaydon Blue is the fastest running back in the 2025 NFL draft.

He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.25 seconds at his Pro Day. 

At the NFL Combine, he ran a 4.38. Reportedly he battled a grade II groin strain during the event. 

Jaydon Blue's health history

Jaydon Blue's injuries go all the way back to middle school.

The running back sat out of his senior season in high school, referencing two knee injuries he faced in middle school.

“In middle school, I had two knee injuries that kept me out for two years straight. So I had to come back from those injuries. What they told me was if it was to happen again, there’s a good chance that I wouldn’t be able to play again.,” Blue said.

Blue also suffered an ankle injury in a game versus Michigan early last season. He was held out the following week against UTSA. He returned with his best showing of the season, running for 124 yards and 3 touchdowns against ULM. 

Jaydon Blue's fit in the Cowboys' backfield

Jaydon Blue was used more as a committee back than a bellcow in his time at Texas.

His limited usage triggered questions about whether or not he'd be able to handle a full workload in the NFL.

The Cowboys have signed a couple backs in free agency, but Blue could have an opportunity to earn touches as the season progresses.

  • Javonte Williams (signed in free agency)
  • Miles Sanders (signed in free agency)
  • Jaydon Blue (drafted in the fifth round)
  • Deuce Vaughn (drafted

SN's NFL DRAFT HQ: Live tracker | Pick-by-pick grades | Best players still available

The Cowboys have made an effort to build the running game with three of their last four first-rounders used on the offensive line.

Blue could benefit from that investment if he can earn the trust of the coaching staff.

MORE: Meet Donovan Ezeiruaku, Cowboys' new pass rush partner with Micah Parsons

Drew Bishop

Drew Bishop is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. After graduating from the Klein College of Media and Communication at Temple University, he worked in local media in Sandusky, Ohio at BCSN and the Sandusky Register, freelancing as a reporter, broadcast director and play-by-play commentator for high school sports. He then moved on to KRIS 6 News where he serves as a producer in the news department.