The Commanders have shown significant interest in running backs throughout the draft process, and have one more meeting set up with a dynamic back who can add a lot to Washington’s offense in more than one way. Washington is hosting former Texas Longhorn RB Jaydon Blue for a visit before the draft, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston, Texas.
Texas @TexasFootball speedy running back Jaydon Blue @KLEINCAINFB visiting #Bills today #Commanders next, previously #Steelers#Eagles#Texans#Broncos@KPRC2https://t.co/jOcKUFUm0G
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 15, 2025
Blue is the perfect running back for Washington regarding what they’re looking for in their offense. Jaydon wields blazing speed with his track background, which was displayed with his 4.38 40-yard dash at his pro day, and has the play speed on film to match it. Any time Blue gets his hands on the ball, he’s a big play waiting to happen, especially with an increased workload in 2024.
Jaydon played his first two seasons at Texas in a running back committee, but the Longhorns needed Blue to step up as the primary back after losing multiple running backs to injury in 2024. After only 80 combined carries in 2022 and 2023, Blue saw 134 carries in his final season, and took them for 730 yards and seven touchdowns. With only 214 rushing attempts in his career, he still has plenty of tread on his tires.
Blue plays with excellent vision to get around his blockers, find the open lane, and use his long speed to take his runs to the house. Despite his size at 5-foot-9 and 195lbs, 73% of his yards came after contact, and he averaged 3.4 yards per carry when he was hit at, or behind the line of scrimmage.
The 4.38 40 time definitely shows on tape for Texas RB Jaydon Blue. 7 fumbles on 200 rushing attempts the last two years is definitely a concern but he is a legitimate threat to score anytime he touches the football. pic.twitter.com/G8wEgDBcId
— Steven Haglund (@StevenIHaglund) March 20, 2025
The former Longhorn brings a big-time receiving threat to the NFL as well, and he leads the running back class with a 16% slot alignment on routes, and is second with a 25% target rate. Blue had 42 catches in 2024 for 368 yards and six more touchdowns through the air. He has continued to train like a wide receiver this offseason in addition to his running back training after displaying his reliable hands in college.
QUINN EWERS WITH AN ABSOLUTE DIME TO JAYDON BLUE WHO SOMEHOW HAULS IT IN FOR THE TD 🔥 pic.twitter.com/JbibExvWIZ
— ESPN (@espn) December 1, 2024
There are a couple of concerns about Blue as a prospect, though. Some wonder how his size will hold up in pass protection, and he also has seven fumbles on a low snap count. It’s fair to believe the right NFL coaching can fix his fumble issues at the next level as an early declare prospect with a ton of playing time and development still ahead of him.
Washington needs a playmaker in the backfield, and Jaydon Blue can be a major weapon in the run game as well as a receiving threat with the flexibility to align him in the slot as well. He just turned 21 in January, and could bring youth to Washington with a ton of juice left in his legs. The Commanders will probably have to select Jaydon Blue at pick 128 if he’s the running back they want to add in the draft.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders hosting dynamic Texas running back ahead of NFL draft
The Commanders have shown significant interest in running backs throughout the draft process, and have one more meeting set up with a dynamic back who can add a lot to Washington’s offense in more than one way. Washington is hosting former Texas Longhorn RB Jaydon Blue for a visit before the draft, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston, Texas.
Texas @TexasFootball speedy running back Jaydon Blue @KLEINCAINFB visiting #Bills today #Commanders next, previously #Steelers#Eagles#Texans#Broncos@KPRC2https://t.co/jOcKUFUm0G
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 15, 2025
Blue is the perfect running back for Washington regarding what they’re looking for in their offense. Jaydon wields blazing speed with his track background, which was displayed with his 4.38 40-yard dash at his pro day, and has the play speed on film to match it. Any time Blue gets his hands on the ball, he’s a big play waiting to happen, especially with an increased workload in 2024.
Jaydon played his first two seasons at Texas in a running back committee, but the Longhorns needed Blue to step up as the primary back after losing multiple running backs to injury in 2024. After only 80 combined carries in 2022 and 2023, Blue saw 134 carries in his final season, and took them for 730 yards and seven touchdowns. With only 214 rushing attempts in his career, he still has plenty of tread on his tires.
Blue plays with excellent vision to get around his blockers, find the open lane, and use his long speed to take his runs to the house. Despite his size at 5-foot-9 and 195lbs, 73% of his yards came after contact, and he averaged 3.4 yards per carry when he was hit at, or behind the line of scrimmage.
The 4.38 40 time definitely shows on tape for Texas RB Jaydon Blue. 7 fumbles on 200 rushing attempts the last two years is definitely a concern but he is a legitimate threat to score anytime he touches the football. pic.twitter.com/G8wEgDBcId
— Steven Haglund (@StevenIHaglund) March 20, 2025
The former Longhorn brings a big-time receiving threat to the NFL as well, and he leads the running back class with a 16% slot alignment on routes, and is second with a 25% target rate. Blue had 42 catches in 2024 for 368 yards and six more touchdowns through the air. He has continued to train like a wide receiver this offseason in addition to his running back training after displaying his reliable hands in college.
QUINN EWERS WITH AN ABSOLUTE DIME TO JAYDON BLUE WHO SOMEHOW HAULS IT IN FOR THE TD 🔥 pic.twitter.com/JbibExvWIZ
— ESPN (@espn) December 1, 2024
There are a couple of concerns about Blue as a prospect, though. Some wonder how his size will hold up in pass protection, and he also has seven fumbles on a low snap count. It’s fair to believe the right NFL coaching can fix his fumble issues at the next level as an early declare prospect with a ton of playing time and development still ahead of him.
Washington needs a playmaker in the backfield, and Jaydon Blue can be a major weapon in the run game as well as a receiving threat with the flexibility to align him in the slot as well. He just turned 21 in January, and could bring youth to Washington with a ton of juice left in his legs. The Commanders will probably have to select Jaydon Blue at pick 128 if he’s the running back they want to add in the draft.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders hosting dynamic Texas running back ahead of NFL draft
