Dylan Sampson was a phenom at his Louisianna high school, where he broke the school records of their previous all-time leading rusher – Eddie Lacy. He was a four-star recruit that committed to Tennessee over many other offers.
For his first two seasons, he worked in a committee with Jabari Small and Jaylen Wright. Last year, Small (Titans) and Wright (Dolphins) left for the NFL and Sampson had the chance to take the backfield for himself. He was electric.
Sampson broke school single-season records with 22 rushing touchdowns and 1,491 rushing yards. He also set new records with total touchdowns scored (22), points scored (132), and consecutive games with a rushing touchdown (11). He was a First-Team All-SEC and most notably, the SEC Offensive Player of the Year. He declared for the NFL draft last December.
Height: 5-8
Weight: 200 pounds
40 time: 4.42 seconds
At 5-8, Sampson tied as the shortest running back at the NFL Combine, a bit shorter than the 5-11 officially listed by the Vols. But make no mistake, Sampson was a difference-maker and record-setter in college. Even if it was just for one season.
Dylan Sampson (2022-24)
*includes postseason/bowl games (stats from Sports Reference)
Pros
- Burst and a third gear to take it to the house on any play
- Maintains balance through contact
- Touchdown machine near the goal line
- Follows blockers and gets all there is to gain
- Spin move and cutting ability leave defenders grabbing air
- Highly effective running inside and in traffic
- Vision helps sift through options for optimal lane
Cons
- Undersized compared to prototypical NFL rushers
- Minimal work as a receiver
- Pass protection will need upgrading at the next level
- Lost four fumbles in 2024, ball security needs improvement
Fantasy Outlook
While Sampson only managed one season as the primary back, it was very impressive and promising. He is a patient runner who follows blockers and knows when – and where – to exploit a defense. His exceptionally strong lower body couples with elusiveness of an elite back to keep him upright and flying down the field.
At 200 pounds, he’s a bit light for an inside runner in the NFL and resembles Jahmyr Gibbs or Kyren Williams in size. That doesn’t mean he won’t be effective (like those backs), but that he may have durability issues if overused (like those backs). He’s expected to be a Day 2 consideration and could end up as a starting NFL back depending on the situation of his new team.
While he needs more work as a receiver and has plenty left to learn, his elite rushing ability should get him onto the field as a rookie, as a complement at worst. The most likely landing spots for him are the New Orleans Saints, Washington Commanders, and Denver Broncos. The Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans are also considerations but he would be a clear No. 2 back on those offenses and more of a relief back.
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