FRISCO - Jaydon Blue can visualize a plan.
But PFF apparently cannot see it.
Pro Football Focus, in evaluating the Dallas Cowboys running backs room - which at this moment ahead of training camp figures to feature Miles Sanders, Javonte Williams and the rookie Blue - is of the belief that it's the worst collection of backs in the NFL.
Seriously. Out of 32 running back rooms, the publication has Dallas dead last entering the new season.
"The Cowboys allowed their two leading rushers, Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott, to leave in free agency," Pro Football Focus writes. "Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders have since taken their place."
PFF is not a fan of what the two vets did last year.
"Williams struggled in Denver, recording just a 64.6 PFF rushing grade over the past three seasons,'' they wrote, and "Sanders has yet to rediscover the high level of production he showed in 2022 with Philadelphia.''
Then they get to the rookie.
PFF writes: "Fifth-round rookie Jaydon Blue could provide a boost with his speed and receiving ability, but he’s never been a workhorse type of back. Dallas’ running back situation could become a major issue during the 2025 season."
Put it on the bulletin board? Or accept it as fact?
First-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer has vowed to fix the rushing attack here, and maybe - at least as a home-run hitter - Blue can step up.
But he's now talking bigger that that.
The fifth-round pick from Texas can absolutely fly, and he was a big-time Longhorns weapon out of the backfield with 368 yards and six touchdowns on 42 receptions (often after shifting into the slot.)
"I take a lot of pride in being able to run routes and catch the ball,'' he told Kay Adams on Up & Adams. "I've been doing it since maybe 14, 15 years old. I played 7 on 7, and I played strictly receiver. I didn't do nothing, no running back things, and when I go train, I do a lot of receiver stuff because some of the running back stuff is natural for me.''
And what's the ultimate goal?
"I'm trying to take my receiver game to the next level,'' Blue said, "so I can be the next great back to come out of Dallas.''
That's Emmitt Smith, Tony Dorsett and Ezekiel Elliott territory, so it's a mouthful. And first? The "Cowboys next great back'' needs to emerge to overcome the reputation as "the NFL's next worst backs.''
