Dallas Cowboys NFL Draft steal named one of league's 'top sleepers' for 2025

The Dallas Cowboys may have a found a diamond in the rough on Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft.

With many believing that they desperately needed to add some talent to their running back room heading into next season, it appeared for a good portion of the draft that the Cowboys would once again fail to prioritize the position.

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However, it later became clear that they were simply waiting for the right place to take the guy they wanted, selecting Texas Longhorns running back Jaydon Blue in Round 5. Now, since the conclusion of the draft, many have praised the selection of Blue in that spot, and believe he could have a major impact on the Cowboys in his rookie season.

That includes Bleacher Report, who named Blue as one of six rookie running backs who could be sleepers in 2025.

Texas running back Jaydon Blue stiff-arms Clemson safety Khalil Barnes. | Ricardo B. Brazziell / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Dallas should have an open competition at running back," Bleacher Report’ Matt Holder wrote. "Blue could easily be the team's lead back coming out of training camp, and the interior of the Cowboys' offensive line should be able to create plenty of rushing lanes this fall. Tyler Smith is coming off consecutive Pro Bowl campaigns and is a monster in the running game, while Cooper Beebe was solid as a rookie and projects to make a big jump in year two at center."

"Also, rookie Tyler Booker was B/R’s second-ranked interior offensive lineman, largely due to what he brings as a run-blocker. On top of that, Terence Steele is an excellent run-blocker. It’s just a matter of whether Tyler Guyton can grow from his rookie season, as the rest of the offensive line is set up well for a rookie running back like Blue to be successful."

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Everything is certainly set up for Blue to have success in his rookie campaign, whether it is the rebuilt offensive line or the open competition.

That said, another thing that could set Blue apart in this running attack is his scheme fit as well. New Cowboys offensive coordinator Klayton Adams is known for his blocking schemes being able to allow his backs a running start before first contact, and open up lanes for them to exploit.

One cool thing about Klayton Adams' run schemes is how often his RBs get a running start before they're even touched. The constant pulling of linemen, great seals, and second-level execution makes for some nice running lanes. pic.twitter.com/xpkr8gJlt8
— Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) February 1, 2025

If you give a back with the speed and playmaking ability of Blue that kind of space to operate, as he proved throughout his career at Texas, he is going to exploit it. And then when you add in his ability as a pass catcher out of the backfield, it's easy to see why he is seen as a potential sleeper pick.

The prospect that I wanted to talk about for today is Texas Longhorn running back Jaydon Blue, a player that could blossom into a game breaking player

Jaydon Blue outside of the Clemson game didn't get a chance during the playoffs to show the world how great of a player he is.… pic.twitter.com/ixkDN2gcaM
— NFL Draft Prospects (@thatsnotaflag) April 5, 2025

Of course, this all relies heavily on the hypothetical that Blue indeed wins the starting job.

But he will have every opportunity to do so over the coming months.

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