The Dallas Cowboys will have their first real glimpse at their 2025 roster when they open the preseason against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday night. It's crucial for rookies and veterans alike to impress Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer in his first exhibition game behind the bench, especially since a player's 53-man roster odds could hinge on their performance this weekend.
After plenty of offseason additions through free agency and the 2025 NFL draft, Cowboys fans can expect to see some new faces hitting the field this weekend — including a rookie playmaker who's left Dallas wanting more before his career has even started.
Rookie Cowboys RB Jaydon Blue is Impressing with Early Training Camp Performance
With Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle gone, the Cowboys made some early backfield additions this offseason. They signed veteran running backs Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders to one-year contracts, and even used a fifth-round pick to draft Jaydon Blue out of the University of Texas. The 21-year-old was impressive with the Longhorns, and the hope was he could do the same with America's Team.
Well, it hasn't taken Blue long to steal some attention.
After being labeled "lazy" by his haters, the rookie RB has used that criticism as motivation to secure a key role on offense. Cowboys beat reporters have been praising Blue's performance throughout training camp, and he's even had some solid plays as a runner and pass-catcher, opening the door for Schottenheimer & Co. to get creative with how they use him.
Jaydon Blue with one heck of a one-handed catch on a throw from Joe Milton. pic.twitter.com/s9g7h6UmPa
— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) July 26, 2025
Not only has he received some media attention, but Blue's performances in practice have even earned some praise from the Cowboys' coaching staff.
"I don't think (Blue's) work ethic is in question," RBs coach Derrick Foster told Dallas writer Patrik Walker on Wednesday. "He does a really good job in that regard."
Even HC Schottenheimer has been impressed by Blue's "big-time competitive fire" as he fights against Williams and Sanders for touches. "He wants to be great," the 51-year-old coach said. "He wants to be elite. He's talented."
In his final year with the Longhorns, Blue amassed 134 carries for 730 rushing yards, 42 receptions for 368 yards, and 14 total touchdowns despite dealing with Tre Wisner's presence. The Cowboys' rookie RB clearly knows how to be a difference-maker, and his first opportunity to prove it at the NFL level will come against the Rams, who were tied for allowing the seventh-most yards per carry last season.
If Blue can parlay his training camp success into positive results throughout the preseason, he might have a legitimate case to be the Cowboys' RB1 come Week 1.