Cowboys' New-Look Run Game Gets Embarrassing Ranking from PFF

Cowboys’ New-Look Run Game Gets Embarrassing Ranking from PFF originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

We hope Dallas Cowboys’ running back coach Derrick Foster reads Pro Football Focus, because if he does, his room has just gotten the ultimate source of motivation ahead of the 2025 season.

With Miles Sanders, Javonte Williams, Deuce Vaughn and Jaydon Blue making up the new-look rushing attack, many feel rather bullish on what the group can do behind a revamped offensive line and run game wizards Klayton Adams and Conor Riley.

However, Pro Football Focus hasn’t gotten that memo and has delivered an embarrassing ranking to the Cowboys’ run game.

Out of 32 running back rooms, the publication has Dallas dead last entering the new season.

“The Cowboys allowed their two leading rushers, Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott, to leave in free agency,” Pro Football Focus writes. “Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders have since taken their place.”

“Williams struggled in Denver, recording just a 64.6 PFF rushing grade over the past three seasons. Sanders has yet to rediscover the high level of production he showed in 2022 with Philadelphia. Fifth-round rookie Jaydon Blue could provide a boost with his speed and receiving ability, but he’s never been a workhorse type of back. Dallas’ running back situation could become a major issue during the 2025 season.”

by Mike Fisher

There’s your motivation.

Last season, despite the diabolical run game, Dallas wasn’t last; yet, many think it could be worse in 2025.

The only thing left to do is to prove the doubters wrong, and we feel the Cowboys have the tools to do so. Now, we aren’t expecting a Washington Commanders-like turnaround, but the ground game “should” be better than a year ago.

Yes, we are projecting here, but if the running back room needed any other motivation ahead of the 2025 season with head coach Brian Schottenheimer, they just got it.

Dead last? Sheesh.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.

Cowboys’ New-Look Run Game Gets Embarrassing Ranking from PFF

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