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NFL Draft 2025: Which Team Is the Best Fit for Tennessee RB Dylan Sampson?

After a dominant 2024 season, Tennessee RB Dylan Sampson is a top Day 2 NFL Draft prospect. See which teams are the best fit for his explosive, versatile style.
Josh Greer|
Mar 1, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson (RB26) during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Mar 1, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson (RB26) during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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Tennessee Volunteers

After a record-shattering 2024 season in Knoxville — 1,491 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns — Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson is officially NFL-bound. Though he opted out of the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, Sampson didn’t need a stopwatch to validate his explosiveness. He impressed scouts with his agility and footwork in drills like the Duce Staley Drill, maintaining strong Day 2 projections and drawing RB1 comparisons from several analysts.

Now, as Sampson’s name rises on draft boards across the league, the question shifts from “how good is he?” to “where does he fit best?”

Evaluating the Best Team Fits for Dylan Sampson

  1. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys enter the draft with a glaring hole at running back following Tony Pollard’s departure last year in free agency. Sampson’s burst and one-cut decisiveness align seamlessly with Dallas’s zone-blocking scheme, which rewards backs with his style of acceleration and edge vision.

Immediate impact: A clear path to RB1 duties in a backfield lacking a proven lead option.

Scheme synergy: Dallas’s preference for stretch runs and outside zone concepts would allow Sampson to maximize his elite cut-back ability.

Red zone upgrade: With 22 rushing scores in 2024, Sampson instantly improves an offense that ranked near the bottom in red zone rushing TDs last season.

2. Miami Dolphins

Mike McDaniel’s Dolphins thrive on space, motion, and speed — all attributes that define Sampson’s game. His sharp field vision and ability to explode through lanes could make him an electric complement in Miami’s backfield rotation.

Ideal scheme fit: Miami’s outside zone-heavy run concepts are tailor-made for Sampson’s acceleration and fluid cuts.

Fresh legs in a rotation: The Dolphins love keeping backs fresh — and Sampson’s efficiency as a change-of-pace option would pay dividends late in games.

3. Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers are shifting toward a more physical, run-first identity under new head coach Jim Harbaugh. Sampson’s SEC-tested production and compact power between the tackles make him an appealing cornerstone for a rebuilt ground game.

Development upside: Harbaugh’s background in developing offensive lines and run games sets the stage for Sampson to thrive and grow in a disciplined system.

Dylan Sampson may not be in the first group of running backs selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, but he’s arguably the most NFL-ready when it comes to "plug-and-play" versatility, red zone effectiveness, and adaptability to multiple offensive schemes. With the right system and coaching staff, Sampson has the potential to become more than a solid contributor — he could develop into a star.

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Josh Greer
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