Dylan Sampson NFL Draft 2025: Scouting Report for Tennessee RB

HEIGHT: 5'8

WEIGHT: 200

HAND: 8¾"

ARM: 30½"

WINGSPAN: 73"

40-YARD DASH: 4.42 (Pro Day)

VERTICAL: 35"

BROAD: 10'4"

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POSITIVES

— Generates explosive plays with dangerous home run speed.

— Runs with great timing, feel, and vision to find daylight.

— Quick footwork for elusive jump cuts when pressing the line of scrimmage.

— A patient runner who follows his lead blockers into the open field.

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NEGATIVES

— Undersized frame does not match up with bell-cow workload from 2024.

— Consistency with ball security; fumbled the ball four times in 2024.

— Effectiveness in short-yardage situations; adequate run power and leg drive.

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NOTES

— Born September 14, 2004

— 4-star recruit in 2022 class, per 247Sports

— 2024 All-America Third Team; SEC Offensive Player of the Year; All-SEC First Team; Maxwell Award Semifinalist; Doak Walker Award Semifinalist

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OVERALL

Dylan Sampson exudes patience and explosiveness as a ball-carrier. 

Sampson runs with great patience behind his offensive line and lead blockers. He does not overrun his convoy; he follows them into open space. Sampson is a sudden mover with quick vertical cuts at the second level of the defense. He is adept at working through congestion. 

Sampson displays quick footwork to exchange gaps and change directions. He can stop and start without wasted movement. His short-area quickness aided his ability to change run paths based on the defense’s run fits. He has good football IQ and instincts/feel for the game. He processes blocking leverages quickly. Sampson has legitimate big-play speed. He's a threat to create an explosive play at any time. 

He converts speed to power well to fall forward with a head of steam. He runs harder and stronger than his frame would suggest. Sampson does not avoid contact; with his compact frame, he will finish runs with momentum.

Sampson is an effective, willing pass-blocker. He gives effort, but his frame and strength raise concerns against NFL defenders. He struggles to locate the free runner against blitz packages. Sampson's undersized frame is not built for the heavy workload he was subjected to at Tennessee. Short-yardage power is not one of his best attributes. He does not push many piles to create lanes in short-yardage situations. He was also underutilized as a pass-catcher for the Vols despite having the athleticism to be a weapon in space. 

In conclusion, Sampson is a talented, compact running back. He projects as a gap-scheme RB2 for an NFL offense. If he lands with a team that has a powerful offensive line, he has lead-back potential. Due to his size and average outside vision, Sampson will not be for every team. But the combination of his home run speed and patience gives him a clear path to success. 

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GRADE: 7.4 (High-Level Backup/Potential Starter — 3rd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 75

POSITION RANK: RB7

PRO COMPARISON: Shades of Eno Benjamin

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Written by B/R NFL Scout Dame Parson