Javonte Williams’ role is going to be interesting to figure out.
The Dallas Cowboys came into this offseason with plenty of work to do. One thing on their to-do list was to execute a complete overhaul of their running back room. Dallas’ production in the run game last season was highly disappointing. The Cowboys finished the 2024 season with the third-worst (4.0) Y/A per rush in the league, and the seventh-worst team rush EPA (-0.128).
The lone bright spot from the rushing attack was 26-year-old Rico Dowdle, putting together a breakout season. Dowdle was one of the most productive backs in the league in the final seven weeks of the season, finishing the year rushing for an impressive 1,079 yards on 235 carries.
After his breakout year, many believed Dallas would attempt to prioritize bringing the impending free agent back. Ultimately, that was not the case, and the Cowboys saw their leading rusher from last season sign a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers in mid-March.
With Dowdle out the door, Dallas had plenty of work to do if they wanted to build a competitive running back room for next season. To their credit, while they may not have added an A-Tier back, they did create some good competition at the position with a pair of free agent signings and draft selections.
Free agent-wise, the Cowboys added veteran Miles Sanders and 25-year-old Javonte Williams on one-year deals. In the draft, Dallas made a homerun selection in the fifth round, selecting Texas running back Jaydon Blue. The Cowboys added yet another body to the group with their second-to-last draft pick, selecting Clemson running back Phil Mafah in the seventh round.
While the Cowboys have certainly improved the overall depth of the running back position, there’s no clear answer as to who will be their lead back come training camp. Some have even theorized that Dallas could part ways with one of their two free agent additions at the position before training camp even kicks off.
Bleacher Report continued this narrative, naming Javonte Williams as a potential cut candidate in their “The Best Player Who Could Still Be Cut from Every NFL Roster In 2025 Offseason” article.
Here’s what they had to say about why Dallas could part with the former Denver Bronco before the start of the season.
The Dallas Cowboys signed running back Javonte Williams to a one-year, $3 million deal this offseason but could easily move on if he doesn’t outperform Miles Sanders, Deuce Vaughn and/or rookies Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah in training camp.
Cutting Williams, who averaged just 3.7 yards per carry with the Broncos last season, would save Dallas $2 million in cap space.
While it is true the Cowboys could part ways with Williams without any real financial ramifications, the idea that they would cut him before the start of camp is just not realistic. Of all the running backs on the roster, Williams likely has the best shot of being Dallas’ RB1 when they open camp in late July.
While he was not super productive last season, Dallas signed Williams for a reason. His ability to impact the game as a pass catcher was a perfect fit for Brian Schottenheimer’s offense, and Dallas will likely get him heavily involved in that way. Williams also brings a needed physicality as a runner, which would pair perfectly with a speed back, like Jaydon Blue.
Could Williams flame out in camp and the pre-season and be an early-September cut candidate? Sure, but even that seems pretty unlikely at this point. The better bet is that Javonte Williams is the starting Cowboys’ running back in Week 1 in Philadelphia, getting a good bulk of the carries.
