Blogging The Boys
Of the many concerns about the current state of the Dallas Cowboys, running back doesn’t seem to be at the top list. There are currently ranked 15th in the league rushing for 117.2 yards per game, thanks to a large part to Javonte Williams, who currently ranks fourth in the league in rushing yards (476). The current depth behind him though raises somewhat of a concern.
Williams has pretty much been a one-man show since the season started and has been one of the more pleasant surprises for the Cowboys this year. He’s handled the majority of the workload, only to be spelled when needed by Miles Sanders. But with Sanders now on season-ending injured reserve, the RB2 position has become something that may need to be addressed sooner rather than later.
Dallas’ current options to step in for Sanders to become Williams’ primary backup are rookie fifth-round pick Jaydon Blue, Hunter Luepke, and practice squad RB Malik Davis. Not one of those three options would really get a ringing endorsement from anyone right now, but that’s where things stand currently on the depth chart at RB for the Cowboys.
Blue was expected to be a difference-making RB for the Cowboys at some point this year both as a runner and receiver out of the backfield. It doesn’t seem as if he’s quite earned the trust of the coaching staff as of yet, evidenced by being a healthy scratch the first four weeks of the season. And, he hasn’t done much when given an opportunity. Regardless though, he’s probably their best bet to be Williams’ primary backup.
The uncertainty behind Williams has led some to believe the Cowboys could be in the market for another RB prior to the November 4 NFL trade deadline. One connection made by pundits is Miami’s second-year RB Jaylen Wright. Wright was someone the Cowboys showed an interest pre-draft in 2024.
Blue is a change of pace back with game-breaking speed, but he hasn’t found a way into enough reps to show it yet. When he has gotten reps, he hasn’t made the most of them. He may have a small window of opportunity to prove he’s capable of being the primary backup moving forward this year. The Cowboys have to be concerned with the depth behind Williams. And even if there isn’t any concern, they still need more from their rookie RB moving forward regardless.
