Who Should I Start? Jaleel McLaughlin or Jaydon Blue

Monday, January 13, 10:50 AM

Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin was a complete non-factor in the team's 31-7 blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday on wild-card weekend. Like most of the season, Denver's backfield was stuck in the mud and couldn't get anything going to control the game, with rookie quarterback Bo Nix leading the team with 43 rushing yards on four carries. McLaughlin, who had been the leader of a committee backfield late in the season, had only two rushing attempts for minus-two yards while catching his only target for no gain. It was a dismal end to the 24-year-old's second season in the NFL. He finished with 113 carries for 496 yards (4.4 yards per carry) and only one rushing touchdown in 16 regular-season games while adding 24 catches for 76 yards and two more TDs through the air. Denver will surely look to upgrade their backfield in the offseason to give more help to Nix in 2025.

Wednesday, May 7, 7:39 PM

Per the team's transaction log, the Dallas Cowboys have signed fifth-round rookie running back Jaydon Blue to a four-year, $4.62 million contract. The 21-year-old played second fiddle to teammate Quintrevion Wisner for the Texas Longhorns and is smaller in stature (5-foot-9) but has speed for days (4.38 40-yard dash). Blue has the odds stacked against him for playing time -- considering his draft capital -- but it isn't unheard of for late-round selections to make a splash in the league. Furthermore, the talent (or lack thereof) in front of him in Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams doesn't pose much of a threat in the way of competition. He'll undoubtedly have an opportunity to make his way to the field, but it won't be good for his prospects if he can't beat out the aforementioned veterans for playing time.