With just one preseason game remaining for the Dallas Cowboys, only one thing has become almost inevitable at the running back position—Javonte Williams will likely be the first one in the huddle when the offense takes their first snap of the regular season in Philadelphia on opening night.
In back-to-back weeks, Williams has not taken a snap on offense in the preseason and has sat with other key starters, such as Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, Jake Ferguson, and George Pickens. It’s not always an obvious indicator, but even Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones is excited for what Williams can bring this year.
Although Williams is expected to be the starting running back, it doesn’t mean he will dominate the carries on offense. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer has emphasized his desire to implement a committee of running backs who will each receive their fair share of touches throughout the season, meaning several players will get an opportunity to contribute. The real question is who will be the second and third players in the rotation.
On Saturday night against the Baltimore Ravens, veteran Miles Sanders got the start and made his Cowboys debut after recovering the last few weeks from a knee injury he suffered in practice. Sanders was the Cowboys’ leading rusher with just 15 yards off seven carries. In his limited opportunities, Sanders showed some burst and looked fresh, but there were also moments where he danced around trying to find the right lane to run through.
The offense, led by Joe Milton, never found a rhythm, which led to drives turning into three-and-outs, forced turnovers, and never getting close to the red zone. It was tough to honestly evaluate the running back position when the team as a whole ran the ball 20 times for 50 yards. Sanders looked okay, but does that mean he’s guaranteed that second spot behind Williams? His veteran experience could give him the edge in that decision.
If both Williams and Sanders make it to the 53, that would leave Hunter Luepke, Deuce Vaughn, Malik Davis, and rookie draft picks Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah. Schottenheimer has praised Luepke throughout training camp and talked about his versatility as a runner, but at fullback and tight end. That makes his spot on the roster more likely to be safe than not.
Out of the two rookies, Jaydon Blue is a lock, given his higher draft status, love from the front office, and the growth he’s shown during practice despite not being able to suit up for preseason games. If the team wants to carry five running backs, that would mean a three-man competition for the final spot between Mafah, Davis, and Vaughn.
Mafah has turned into a fan favorite and rightfully so. His debut last week against the Los Angeles Rams was better than his second game, but he’s flashed a physicality and running style in practice the offense might not have in Sanders and Williams. That makes it even more intriguing to carry him over to the 53-man roster. He’d be a popular name if Dallas wants to go heavy in the backfield, or if Sanders starts falling off the depth chart.
As it stands heading into Week 3 of the preseason, the running back pecking order could look like Williams, Sanders, Blue, and Luepke as the top four. That means Mafah, Vaughn, and Davis would be on the outside looking in, and will try to force the front office to justify keeping a fifth runner, or possibly replace Sanders.
