What are the Dallas Cowboys going to do at running back? With multiple options, the battle for running back in Dallas will be one of the more intriguing training camp storylines.
Dallas Cowboys Need A Boost At Running Back
“Coaches with the Cowboys have expressed that (Jaydon) Blue is borderline lazy and that the team is not thrilled with his work habits” https://t.co/XXa8Ja8DQR
— Connor Allen (@ConnorAllenNFL) July 18, 2025
Since Dak Prescott became the starting quarterback in 2016, the best Cowboys teams have included a strong offensive line and a top running game.
From 2016 to 2021, Ezekiel Elliott dominated the Cowboys’ rushing attack with at least 979 yards in six consecutive seasons. Elliot then passed the torch to Tony Pollard, who ran for at least 1,000 yards in three straight seasons.
2024 was a new chapter in the Cowboys’ running game, as Rico Dowdle became the lead back. While Dowdle squeaked out 1,079 yards on the ground, Dallas’ rushing attack was extremely inefficient.
After years of boasting one of the top ground games, Dallas averaged the sixth-fewest yards per game in 2024 (100.3).
Part of that can be attributed to Prescott missing half of the season. Still, the running game was trending in the wrong direction even before Prescott’s injury.
The Cowboys were clearly not satisfied with Dowdle, as they allowed him to sign with the Carolina Panthers in free agency.
Dallas Cowboys Running Back Competition
Cowboys RB Miles Sanders got a few more opportunities with the first-team unit today.
It’s been Sanders and Javonte Williams getting the chances with the ones in mandatory minicamp. pic.twitter.com/vE6meLYxBI
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) June 11, 2025
With Dowdle in Carolina, the Cowboys will feature a new-look backfield, highlighted by Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders.
Williams signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract at the start of free agency in March. The former second-round draft pick played his first four seasons with the Denver Broncos.
After a promising rookie campaign of 903 rushing yards, Williams’s numbers have gone downhill. A devastating knee injury during the 2023 season has since affected Williams’ explosive ability.
Williams rushed for 513 yards and four touchdowns for the Broncos in 2024.
Williams will certainly be in the mix to start with Sanders, his top competition.
The former Penn State product played his first four seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, highlighted by a career high of 1,269 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in 2022.
Sanders signed a four-year, $25.4 million contract with the Carolina Panthers during the 2023 offseason. Things never clicked for Sanders in Carolina, who accumulated 637 rushing yards and three touchdowns in two seasons.
After being released by the Panthers in March, Dallas signed Sanders to a one-year deal.
Williams and Sanders are steady running backs who can carry the majority of the load. However, both lack the explosion needed to stand out in today’s NFL.
The Cowboys hope Jaydon Blue, a fifth-round pick in the 2025 draft, can provide the spark in the backfield. However, early reports out of Dallas are not good for Blue, who was described as “borderline lazy.”
There are no great options in Dallas. However, Williams is the logical choice to get the nod in Week 1.
Predicted Winner: Javonte Williams
