Dallas Cowboys 2025 draft scouting report: RB Dylan Sampson

Cowboys draft prospects include RB Dylan Sampson

We continue our 2025 NFL Draft preview of draft prospects that could interest the Dallas Cowboys. Today we are looking at running back Dylan Sampson from Tennessee.

Dylan Sampson

RB
Tennessee volunteers
Junior
4-star recruit
5’8”
200 lbs

Photo by Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images

History

Dylan Sampson was born on the 14th September, 2004 and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he attended Dutchtown High School. In high school, he was a standout player, known for his speed, vision, and versatility, rushing for over 1,900 yards and scoring more than 30 touchdowns in his senior season, breaking Eddie Lacy’s school records. He was a four-star recruit and outperformed expectations.

At Tennessee, Sampson made an immediate impact as a freshman in 2022, showing explosive playmaking ability and earning a role in a crowded backfield. Despite playing behind veteran backs, he showcased his explosiveness and vision whenever given the opportunity. He finished the year with 397 rushing yards on just 58 carries (averaging 6.8 yards per carry) and six touchdowns, highlighted by big performances against UT Martin and Vanderbilt. His ability to break off long runs and contribute as a receiver out of the backfield quickly made him a fan favorite and a key rotational player.

Sampson continued to develop into a key contributor in 2023, known for his agility, acceleration, and ability to both run between the tackles and catch passes out of the backfield. He totaled 604 rushing yards on 106 carries (5.7 yards per carry) and scored seven rushing touchdowns, while also contributing 22 receptions for 194 yards and one receiving touchdown. He demonstrated improved patience and strength to go along with his speed, often providing critical plays in tight games. His standout performances included big moments against Virginia and Texas A&M, solidifying himself as one of the SEC’s more dangerous all-purpose backs.

In 2024, Sampson delivered on his high expectations, emerging as Tennessee’s lead running back and one of the SEC’s most reliable offensive threats. He rushed for 1,491 yards with an unbelievable total of 22 rushing touchdowns, consistently showing his trademark speed, agility, and toughness between the tackles. Sampson also became a key part of the passing game, adding 143 receiving yards and several big-play through the air. His performances in matchups, including strong showings against Georgia and Alabama, cemented his reputation as a versatile, all-purpose back and a leader for the Volunteers’ offense.

2024 Statistics

598 Offensive Snaps
258 Rush Attempts
1,491 Rush Yards
5.8 YPC
22 Total TDs
20 Receptions
342 Receiving Yards
4 Fumbles
78 First Downs
70 Missed Tackles Forced
1 Penalty

NFL Combine/Pro Day

10-Yard Split- 1.58s (72%)
40-Yard Dash- 4.48s (90%)
Vertical- 35” (67%)
Broad- 10’4” (89%)

Awards

All-American (2024)
SEC Offensive Player of the Year (2024)
First-team All-SEC (2024)

Scorecard

Overall- 83.9
Speed- 88
Acceleration- 91
Agility- 90
Strength- 70
Contact Balance- 79
Vision- 94
Elusiveness- 87
Receiving- 74
Blocking- 58
Discipline- 99

THE GOOD

• Has excellent burst and acceleration, allowing him to hit holes quickly and reach top speed in a flash.
• His agility and ability to make defenders miss in space are standout traits.
• He’s dangerous on cutbacks and in open-field situations.
• A true all-purpose back, he’s effective as a pass-catcher out of the backfield.
• Shows maturity beyond his years in setting up blocks, reading defenses, and waiting for the right lanes to open.
• Coaches consistently praise his effort in practice, film study, and leadership growth.
• Runs with determination and isn’t afraid of contact, often falling forward and fighting for extra yards.

THE BAD

• Slightly undersized for a workhorse role at the NFL level, which could raise durability concerns in a pro setting.
• Still developing consistency as a blocker; bigger blitzing linebackers can give him trouble.
• While tough and willing, he’s not a true power back who will run over defenders consistently.
• Has had occasional ball security lapses under contact.
• Although elusive, he sometimes goes down on first contact against physical tacklers rather than bouncing off hits.
• At times runs too upright, which can make him an easier target for tackles and limit yards after contact.

THE FIT

Dylan Sampson projects as a dynamic change-of-pace or committee back with the potential to develop into a feature role in the right system. His speed, versatility, and playmaking ability will appeal to teams looking for an explosive weapon who can contribute immediately on third down and special teams, with upside to become an every-down back if he adds strength and refines his pass protection.

Sampson projects as a Day 2 pick with the potential to develop into an every-down back in the NFL. He needs to improve his consistency in pass protection, as he can sometimes struggle to anchor against bigger rushers and must refine his technique and awareness in blitz pickup. Additionally, developing more power in his running style and improving contact balance will help him break more tackles and gain tough yards between the tackles. Adding strength and running with lower pad level will be key to handling short-yardage situations and becoming a more complete, every-down back at the next level. His biggest area for improvement is ball security, he had four fumbles in 2024.

Sampson would be an intriguing fit for the Dallas Cowboys, who are in need of a versatile back to complement their offense and current crop of recently added running backs. His explosiveness and ability to make plays in space would pair well with the Cowboys’ physical offensive line and proposed play-action-heavy system. In particular, he could thrive on outside zone runs, quick screens, and wheel routes, giving Dak Prescott a reliable checkdown and home-run threat.

While he may not be the every-down power back immediately, he could fill the spell-type role with big-play ability and gradually take on more touches as he develops strength and pass protection skills. His speed and versatility would add juice to a Dallas backfield looking for more explosiveness and balance.

COMPARISON:

Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans

BTB GRADE:

70th

CONSENSUS RANKING:

96th
(Consensus ranking based on the average ranking from 90 major scoring services, including BTB)