In a surprising turn over the past month, rookie running back Jaydon Blue’s value has skyrocketed among fantasy football managers, driven by growing concerns over Miles Sanders’ veteran performance decline. Once considered a secondary option, Blue now features in over 85% of recent trades tracked by PFSN’s Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, signaling a rapidly changing outlook on Dallas’s backfield roles for the 2024 NFL season.
This shift highlights how opportunity and preparation have converged, creating significant interest in Blue’s potential to take on a larger role.
Analyzing the Surge in Jaydon Blue’s Trade Activity
Back in June, Blue’s presence in fantasy trade markets was tepid, with nearly equal numbers of managers trading him away or acquiring him. However, July has brought a clear reversal, as he has been traded for in 52 of 61 completed deals, suggesting increased confidence among fantasy owners that he will deliver immediate impact.
This newfound enthusiasm is rooted in the observed limitations of established veterans ahead of Blue on the depth chart, particularly Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams, whose diminished explosiveness has opened the door for the rookie.
Veteran Running Backs’ Struggles Open Door for Jaydon Blue’s Rise
The lack of big plays from Sanders and Williams provides stark context for Blue’s rising stock. Neither veteran has logged a single 50-plus-yard rush in the past four seasons despite combining for 846 carries from 2021 to 2024. Given that the average NFL running back recorded such long runs at a rate of once every 338 attempts in 2024, this four-year drought is unusually pronounced.
Comparatively, lesser-known backs like Jamycal Hasty, Travis Homer, and Ke’Shawn Vaughn have managed to break this mark over the same period, underscoring Sanders and Williams’ declining game-breaking ability.
Statistical measures reinforce these trends. Sanders, during his time with Carolina, managed only 12 carries of 10 or more yards out of 184 attempts—a 6.5% rate considered below average even against backup running backs such as Alexander Mattison, Trey Sermon, and Ty Chandler. This represents a noticeable decline from his peak performance years in Philadelphia.
Meanwhile, Javonte Williams’ ability to produce yards after contact has deteriorated sharply, dropping 22.3% from 2022 to 2023 and another 12.2% into 2024. This metric reflects a player’s power and elusiveness, crucial traits that typically distinguish effective NFL backs from replacement-level players. Williams’ decline here signals waning physical ability despite his relative youth.
Why Jaydon Blue’s Efficiency Makes Him an Attractive Prospect
Contrasted against these veterans, Jaydon Blue’s college efficiency presents a compelling alternative. At Texas, Blue averaged 1.34 PPR points per touch last season, showcasing his potential to contribute actively in Dallas’s offense. Fantasy managers recognize this as an indicator that Blue could soon assume greater responsibility.
The Cowboys’ organizational commitment to feeding their primary ball carrier remains strong, despite recent backfield struggles. This increases the likelihood that Blue’s volume and opportunity will grow, boosting his fantasy value significantly.
The rapid escalation in trade demand suggests that the market is not driven by speculative hype but by a careful assessment of actual playing opportunities created by the veterans’ declining production.
For those fantasy owners who have yet to secure Jaydon Blue, the window is closing quickly as asking prices rise sharply through the summer. Blue represents a prime example of a rookie who benefits less from staggering talent alone and more importantly from stepping into a role where established veterans no longer maintain their edge.