After two straight years of \u201cplug and play\u201d success with starting running backs, the Cowboys face an interesting offseason dilemma in 2026. Will they pay market value for Javonte Williams after a breakout year or go the cheap route, either leaning on their younger prospects or looking for another free agent bargain?<\/p>\n
Jaydon Blue – One of two intriguing rookies from last year\u2019s draft, Blue spent most of 2025 in the coaches\u2019 doghouse. He did some much-needed flashing in the finale, posting 64 yards and his only touchdown against the Giants. It was hardly enough to say he should be the starter next season, or even worth considering, but it at least helped keep him in the conversation for a roster spot.<\/p>\n
Phil Mafah – Our other rookie was stashed on IR until the final game. With Javonte Williams and Hunter Luepke available for the power runs, Mafah would\u2019ve been redundant on the roster. He may be up against that same math this year, but he\u2019ll certainly get another chance to fight his way into a job.<\/p>\n
Hunter Luepke (FB) – A jack of many trades, Luepke continues to provide value as a blocker, occasional weapon, special teamer, and even emergency depth at tight end. The Cowboys re-upped his contract last year to keep him through 2027, and he did nothing last season to make them regret that decision.<\/p>\n
Israel Abanikanda – Added to the practice squad for the final month of the season, Abanikanda has since signed a futures deal to return in 2026. He\u2019s a former fifth-round pick of the Jets in 2023 and still just 23 years old, so who knows what he could show against other Day 3 prospects like Blue and Mafah?<\/p>\n
Javonte Williams – The Big Kahuna Burger of this entire discussion, Williams\u2019 future drives everything. After 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns, he will command considerably more now than the $3 million Dallas got away with paying him last year. Williams showed he can be a bell cow, and much of his production came from extending plays with his own power and talent. He has relatively low NFL mileage for his age (turns 26 in April), so the Cowboys probably won\u2019t be able to lowball him.<\/p>\n
Miles Sanders – This was probably Sanders\u2019 last ride in the NFL, and almost certainly for the Cowboys. He was another veteran, like Williams, that Dallas signed on the cheap to compete in August. He got early playing time but was far less effective than Williams, then went out for the year with a knee injury. With younger options already signed and a whole new batch of offseason possibilities, bringing Sanders back just doesn\u2019t make sense.<\/p>\n
Malik Davis (RFA) – One of the feel-good stories of last season, Davis finally saw his name in lights after four years of bouncing around the bottom of Dallas\u2019 roster and practice squad. His 43-yard touchdown was huge in the Cowboys\u2019 big win over Kansas City, and then he stepped into a big role with 103 yards on Christmas Day against Washington. If it was enough to create a market for himself, he may not be re-signed as even the lowest RFA tender should be around $3.5 million. Unless he\u2019s coming back for the league minimum, the Dallas chapter of this story may be over.<\/p>\n