Javonte Williams re-signed after a breakout 2025 season, keeping the Cowboys’ offensive backfield similar to last year’s. Miles Sanders’ departure is the main change, and an offseason battle for the RB2 role is possible. Malik Davis is positioned to get first opportunities behind Williams based on 2025 production, including 52 carries for 250 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns over 10 games. Jaydon Blue follows with 38 carries for 129 yards and a touchdown in half the games Davis played. Sanders had 20 carries for 117 yards and a touchdown, while Phil Mafah had limited touches. Blue’s change-of-pace and pass-catching ability could make him a strong RB2 candidate, supported by his college experience as a receiving back.
"After re-signing former second-round running back Javonte Williams following a breakout 2025 campaign, the Cowboys' 2026 offensive backfield is set to look extremely similar to last year's group. While the only difference will be the departure of veteran Miles Sanders, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram believes there could be a battle for the RB2 role in Dallas over the offseason."
"Based purely on the team's production last year, Malik Davis should be first in line for opportunities off the bench behind Williams. After Williams' line of 252 carries for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns, Davis was the next-highest producer with career-best totals in carries (52), rushing yards (250), and rushing touchdowns (2) over 10 games. Jaydon Blue, the fifth-round rookie out of Texas, had the next-best numbers with 38 carries for 129 yards and a touchdown in half the games Davis saw."
"Harris believes there's a desire for Blue to pick up the mantle of RB2 based on the change of pace and pass-catching element he can provide, something that is lacking in the games of Davis and Mafah. While Mafah had the most collegiate success of the three, combining for 2,080 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns in his final two years at Clemson, Blue had actual experience as a No. 2 in Austin."
"In his final season with the Longhorns, despite putting up career highs in carries (134), rushing yards (730), and rushing touchdowns (8), Blue was outpaced by RB1 Tre Wisner in carries (226) and rushing yards (1,064). Not only did Blue score more on the ground than Wisner, but he also showed more electric abilities as a receiver out of the backfield, adding 42 catches for 368 yards and six touchdowns through the air. Experience in exactly that kind of a role could set Blue up well to challenge Davis for "
Read at Pro Football Rumors
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