2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Tennessee RB Dylan Sampson

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Let’s dive into today’s prospect breakdown!

Dylan Sampson | RB | Tennessee

Height: 5’8″
Weight: 200 lbs
Draft Projection: 3rd Round
Notable Accomplishment: 2024 SEC Offensive Player Of the Year

Pros: Sampson is one of the most explosive running backs in this class, hitting the hole with incredible pop on a consistent basis. His compact build allows him to remain low to the ground and gain tough yards in between the tackles, and his ability to build up speed quickly makes it difficult on linebackers to bring him down one-on-one. Sampson also displays great instincts as a runner, anticipating tackling angles of defenders and adapting accordingly. He is uniquely twitchy in between the tackles and incredibly slippery, making it a challenge to bring him down in the open field. With a player as productive as Sampson was in 2024, it is hard to see him not making a major impact as a rookie.

Cons: While it is unclear what weight Sampson ran at during his time at Tennessee, it appears as if he dropped a little weight this offseason in efforts to test faster during the draft process. If Sampson wants to be a workhorse back at the next level, getting closer to the 210-215 range would allow him to take on NFL defenders with more power. Ball security became an issue in 2024 after having suffered zero fumbles his first 2 1/2 seasons with the Vols, which I find rather intriguing. His pass protection skills are also raw, and it could limit his value on third downs until he improves in that area.

Overview: Sampson’s primary value at this stage in the game is explosive running; however, his upside is through the roof if he can develop his skills in pass protection and as a pass catcher. His NFL comparison is a little taller than him and was more well-rounded coming out of college, but I believe the upside is similar.

NFL Comparison: James Cook