One of Dallas’ biggest offseason roster questions was the direction of the Cowboys backfield. Dallas entered last season with fan favorite and franchise great Ezekiel Elliott as its No. 1 back, who returned to the team after playing in New England the year prior. Alongside the former rushing champion were veterans Rico Dowdle, Malik Davis, Hunter Luepke, Deuce Vaughn, and Pro Bowler Dalvin Cook.
While Elliott opened the year as the starter, midway through, Dowdle cemented himself as the lead back and finished with a career high 1,079 yards rushing, while Elliott was granted his release in December. Fast forward to 2025, and with training camp swiftly approaching, Dallas finds itself in a similar position with its run game as it did a year ago, only this time, a wave of new faces enters the picture.
Advertisement
Dowdle signed with the Carolina Panthers in free agency, and the team signed veteran backs Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams to one-year deals in response. They then selected Texas RB Jaydon Blue in the fifth round, as well as Clemson back Phil Mafah in the seventh, leaving Vaughn and Luepke as the only returning players from 2024.
Dowdle didn’t sign for huge money, and the Cowboys have barely invested in the group since his departure, with the six players on the roster counting just $8 million towards the offseason salary cap. The lack of heavy investment leaves one burning question: Who will emerge as Dallas’ lead back as the team gets deeper into the season?
The holiday season is daunting; the Cowboys will play six consecutive games against teams that made the playoffs a year ago, including the Kansas City Chiefs on Thanksgiving, and second matchups against both the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders.
The Cowboys waited until midseason to declare a RB1 last season. This is a stretch that will require Dallas to have its answer already in hand.
Advertisement
It’s easy to envision the coaching staff will rely on the experienced first.
Following a 2022 Pro Bowl campaign with the Eagles, Sanders himself signed with the Panthers. The 2019 second-round pick wasn’t able to replicate his 1,200-yard and 11-touchdown season, instead rushing for just 637 yards and three touchdowns in 27 games with the Panthers. The 28-year old will look to steer his career back in the right direction with a new beginning and has had clear support from head coach Brian Schottenheimer.
“I don’t know why anyone would be surprised by Miles’ ability,” Schottenheimer told reporters during the spring. “Having been in the division and playing against Miles when he was in Philadelphia, you talk about a guy that’s a home run threat, a guy that’s got incredible ability to hurt you running, catching out of the backfield, all that stuff.”
Meanwhile, Williams, who entered the league in 2021 as a second-round draft choice by the Broncos, has rushed for 2,394 yards and 11 touchdowns across four seasons in the Mile High. The challenge? He hasn’t been able to build off his All-Rookie performance when he rushed for 903 yards and four touchdowns, including a 111-yard outing against the Cowboys that year.
Advertisement
One silver lining with the former All-American back from North Carolina is his ability to play through the air. Last season, he set career highs in receptions (52) and receiving yards (346).
While both figure to be in line for high reps early, the front office will certainly hope to have found gems in its pair of rookies, Blue and Mafah, as the regular season progresses.
Blue is known for his blazing speed and clocked the second-fastest 40-yard-dash time (4.38s) at the combine. He rushed for 730 yards and eight touchdowns while also recording 42 receptions for 368 yards and six scores through the air. The rookie back is quick, agile, and can be a mismatch out of the backfield in the passing game.
Mafah, a Third-Team All-ACC selection, finished his final season at Clemson rushing for 1,115 yards and found the end zone 21 times over the past two years. The 6-foot-1, 234-pound back is a powerful downhill runner known for his aggressive and physical play.
Advertisement
Luepke remains a valuable option at fullback, while Vaughn, who has appeared in 14 games over his first two seasons, could be on his last chance to prove to the coaches he belongs on the roster.
A backfield this crowded could lead to a committee approach if the team sees production out of multiple backs who each bring a different quality to the field.
Nevertheless, time is also a factor in this scenario. Quarterback Dak Prescott returns from a hamstring injury that ended his season last November. Having a go-to back and a reliable run game overall will be critical in helping to relieve pressure from the veteran signal-caller. Carrying the rock effectively, will be needed more than ever if Dallas hopes to compete in what has now become a more competitive NFC East division.
Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
Advertisement
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Will Sanders, Williams, or rookie Jaydon Blue emerge as Cowboys’ RB1?