Sampson was one of the most productive backs in college football last season.
Speaking to reporters at the NFL meetings last week, head coach Mike Vrabel said that the New England Patriots adding another running back through the draft would be “potentially something that we would like to do.” Vrabel’s team does have Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson atop the depth chart at the moment, but there are several suitable candidates to fill the “good, young runner” role the first-year coach mentioned.
Among them is Tennessee’s Dylan Sampson, one of the most productive players in college football last season.
Hard facts
Name: Dylan Sampson
Position: Running back
School: University of Tennessee
Opening day age: 20 (09/14/2004)
Measurements: 5’8”, 200 pounds, 8 3/4” hand size, 30 1/2” arm length, 73” wingspan, 35” vertical jump, 10’4” broad jump, 13 bench press reps, N/A Relative Athletic Score
Experience
Colleges: Tennessee (2022-24)
Career statistics: 35 games (14 starts) | 1,023 offensive snaps | 422 carries, 2,492 rushing yards (5.9 yards/attempt), 35 TDs | 50 targets, 40 receptions (80%), 342 receiving yards, 1 TD
Accolades: SEC Offensive Player of the Year (2024), First-team All-SEC (2024), Second-team All-American (2024)
Growing up in Louisiana, Sampson became his high school’s all-time leading rushing leading as he surpassed Eddie Lacy by nearly eclipsing 5,000 yards. Also a track star, Sampson received offers from multiple big-time schools before eventually committing to the University of Tennessee.
In his freshman season, Sampson saw just 58 carries as he was the third back on the depth chart. He made the limited work count, however, as he averaged nearly 7.0 yards per carry and found the end zone six times. That included an 80-yard touchdown in the season finale which saw Sampson eclipse the 100-yard mark for the first time in his career as he set a single-game school record for yards per carry (11.7).
Entering his sophomore year as the No. 2 back behind Jaylen Wright, Sampson recorded 106 carries and picked up 604 yards and a team-high seven touchdowns. Recording his first career start in Tennessee’s bowl game against Iowa, Sampson made his mark recording 133 yards on 20 carries.
The team’s starter and captain in 2024, Sampson became one of the biggest offensive threats in college football. He was named SEC Offensive Player of the Year and a second-team All-America selection as he tallied 258 carries for 1,491 yards and 22 rushing scores — the most by an SEC player since Alabama’s Najee Harris in 2020.
Following the season, Sampson elected to forgo his senior year and enter the 2025 NFL Draft — where he left Tennessee second all-time with 35 rushing scores and third all-time with 13 career 100-yard games.
Draft profile
Expected round: Day 2 | Consensus big board: No. 92 | Patriots meeting: 30 visit
Strengths: When speaking at the NFL meetings, Patriots owner Robert Kraft specifically highlighted a “speed” back as something the team could add. Look no further than Sampson, who an explosive back with an All-Metro track background from his high school days.
While Sampson did not run the 40-yard dash at the Combine due to a hamstring injury, he ran a 4.42 at Tennessee’s pro day. He was also clocked at 22-23.0 miles per hour on the team’s Catapult system during his collegiate career.
Sampson’s explosiveness easily translates to the game field as he has home run speed and can easily beat defenders to the outside while also can move horizontally with his cutting ability — with his spin move often leaving defenders in the dust.
Despite being 5-foot-8, Sampson is also a patient runner and has strong vision working between the tackles. Most of his success in the Vols offense came on power and counter concepts.
Off the field, Sampson was a member of the team’s leadership council, a two-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll and one of the Vols’ leaders in community service.
Weaknesses: At 5-foot-8, 200 pounds, Sampson does not have the build to project as a true three-down back. He also had issues holding onto the football as he lost four fumbles over his final seven games. Sampson only lost one fumble in his career prior to that stretch, however.
While he had no control over Tennessee’s offense, it’s fair to point out the Vols unique scheme advantageously provided Sampson plenty of light boxes to run into throughout his career. He also had minimal work as a pass catcher with just 40 receptions over his career.
Patriots preview
What would be his role? Joining a backfield with Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson, Sampson’s speed could lead to him being an explosive change-of-pace back on early downs right out of the gate for the Patriots.
What is his growth potential? As a true junior with less than 500 career touches to his name, Sampson has room to continue to grow as a runner. He must prove the last seven games were not the normal when it comes to ball security and could develop into a bigger threat in the passing game with more experience.
Does he have positional versatility? Sampson was used as a runner during his time in Tennessee. He saw just 50 targets in the passing game and recorded just two kick returns over his his three years with the team. Sampson could look to factor into the return game more at the NFL level but his frame could restrict him from being a member of multiple kicking units.
Why the Patriots? As Robert Kraft noted, the Patriots need speed in their backfield and offense. Sampson brings that to the table while he projects as a good fit in Josh McDaniels’ typical run scheme. New England hosted Sampson on a 30 visit.
Why not the Patriots? The Patriots already have Stevenson and Gibson on the roster which may lead to them deeming it not worthwhile to use a day two pick at the running back position — especially one who could bring more ball security issues to the depth chart.
One-sentence verdict: With a need for speed, Sampson would be a welcomed addition to complement New England’s current backfield.
What do you think about Dylan Sampson as a potential Patriots target? Please head down to the comment section to share your thoughts.