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USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
$38 million, 4x Pro Bowl runner among several options for Cowboys to boost RB room
$38 million, 4x Pro Bowl runner among several options for Cowboys to boost RB room The Dallas Cowboys have the unfortunate distinction of 2025's weakest running back room. Apparently the collective of Jaydon Blue, Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders, Phil Mafah, Hunter Luepke and Deuce Vaughn do little to impress the national media. With the major portion of free agency long gone, and the draft nothing but a distant memory, there's a temptation to accept this fate and hope someone on the roster outplays their expectations in training camp. But what about aftermarket upgrades? Just because the traditional avenues of upgrades have been exhausted doesn't mean the Cowboys are out of options completely. Dallas could still upgrade their RB room either by way of trades, waiting until final roster cuts are made or even looking at those lingering free agents unclaimed on the market. NFL free agents Ameer Abdullah, Nick Chubb and Gus Edwards are a few options who could represent upgrades on the Cowboys' roster. It's doubtful any of them are starter level at this point in their respective careers, but if veterans like Williams or Sanders falter, one of these three could be seen as reasonable solutions. It's unlikely and probably unnecessary for the Cowboys to do anything before they see what they have in training camp, but veterans options are there if Dallas needs them. NFL roster cuts With such a deep RB class hitting the NFL this draft cycle, good players are sure to hit the market once roster cuts take place after training camp. Waiting it out requires patience but if Blue shows he's the player the front office hopes he is, patience could be afforded. Front end starters might not be cut cut loose, but players worthy of roles in a committee certainly could. The Cowboys' current stable of RBs aren't just competing against each other, they're competing against the bottom of everyone's roster. RB trade market The Cowboys love their draft picks and have already sent off a series of future draft picks in trades this offseason, so this probably isn't their preferred option, but more than a few attractive players are buried on their respective depth charts this year. That makes it a buyer's market for Dallas. Pro Football Focus recently named the Baltimore Ravens RB room the deepest in the NFL. Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell are stuck behind arguably the best RB in the NFL. It's possible one of them could be attainable for a mid-Day 3 draft pick. Breece Hall may be made available by the New York Jets as might Jerome Ford in Cleveland or Audric Estime in Denver. You can follow Reid on X @ReidDHanson and be sure to follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jaydon Blue Previews New Cowboys Threads
The Dallas Cowboys selected running back Jaydon Blue with the 149th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. … and have high hopes for him as an immediate contributor. Blue was a fifth-round selection out of Texas and adds blazing speed to the Cowboys backfield with a sub-4.4 40 yard dash time. Advertisement Blue has the potential to hit his head on the goal post every time he touches the ball and will give the Cowboys offense another explosive threat to go along with Ceedee Lamb, George Pickens, and Jake Ferguson. Blue is also a running back that doesn't come with much wear and tear as last year in college was his only season with more than 100 total touches on the year. Over the weekend, Blue was present at the annual NFLPA Rookie Premiere event and took a photo with his new No. 34 jersey—a number formerly worn by running back Herschel Walker with the Cowboys. It is yet to be determined how much of a load Blue will carry throughout the season but expect the former Longhorn to carve out a nice role with the Cowboys running back committee. Blue joins a running back room that features veteran newcomers Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders, fellow rookie Phil Mafah, third-year player Deuce Vaughn, and fullback Hunter Luepke. Advertisement Blue is the most explosive running back on the roster and poses the greatest threat as a receiver out of the backfield—making his role within the committee all the more important. The Cowboys are hoping Blue can develop into someone defenses have to account for every time he steps out on the field. Related: Jaydon Blue Is Better Than Tony Pollard? Related: Cowboys Dak and CeeDee Meet Young Fan In Heartwarming Video Going Viral
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cowboys Rookie Faces Uphill Battle To Make Roster
The Dallas Cowboys' rookie class will have it all to do in Oxnard to make the final roster for Brian Schottenheimer, but one thing is clear, the Dallas head coach will give everyone equal opportunity. When it comes to the running back room, the Cowboys have an intriguing battle set to take place with rookies Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah, per Schottenheimer, seen as starting-caliber players. Advertisement But for the pair, and especially Mafah, working their way up the depth chart will be a tough assignment with Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams seen as No. 1 and No. 2 if a game were to be played today. And for ESPN, Mafah will have a tough time breaking through. "Mafah is one of the biggest backs in this class at 6-foot-1, 234 pounds," ESPN writes. "He's not particularly fast, and his collegiate efficiency was underwhelming. The Dallas RB situation is seemingly wide open, but Blue, Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders all stand in the way to a sizable role." Clemson RB Phil MafahNathan Ray Seebeck/USA TODAY Sports It is no secret that Mafah has work to do, but he has already received glowing praise from Schottenheimer, and he will need to showcase his talent when he gets the chance in Oxnard. Advertisement With Dallas wanting to be a run-first offense, there will be rushing reps to be had, and Mafah will need to separate himself from the pack. Not quick, but quick enough, plus his ability as a bruising runner and pass-catcher, there is something to work with for the coaching staff. But is it enough to work himself up the depth chart? Time to find out. Related: Dak Prescott 'Not Respected' in Dallas Cowboys Locker Room ESPN Claims Related: Cowboys' Jones Offers Micah Parsons $200 Million Contract Update
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cowboys Reveal Most Important Position Battle
The Dallas Cowboys' running back corps was the punchline for jokes 12 months ago, it isn't now. Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders, both free agent acquisitions this offseason, coupled with draftees Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah, Dallas has some options. Advertisement We then add in offensive coordinator Klayton Adams and offensive line coach Conor Riley, who have a reputation for building good run games, and suddenly, the Cowboys might be onto something here. Given that head coach Brian Schottenheimer envisions both Blue and Mafah as starting backs, training camp will be an interesting test of who separates themselves from the pack. And for Bleacher Report's Matt Holder, it's every man for himself in Oxnard. "It's an open competition in Dallas' backfield as rookie fifth-round pick Jaydon Blue or fellow free-agent signing Miles Sanders could easily beat out Williams for the starting running back spot," Holder writes. Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams At AT&T StadiumTony Fisher If a game were to be played today, Sanders and Williams would be the tandem behind Dak Prescott, with Blue the lightning-quick change-up. Advertisement But as we know, training camp has a way of making the good players stand out and others fall away. With no definitive No. 1 back, the spot is genuinely up for grabs, and who takes that mantle will be the most-watched storyline for the Cowboys this offseason. The hope is that Blue, with his 4.38 speed will emerge as a genuine weapon, but right now, he is seen as a change-up, not "the" guy with Sanders and Williams both having all the key traits Brian Schottenheimer wants in a running back (strength, pass protection, receiving ability). But don't discount Blue, or even Mafah, from making noise this offseason, as the running back room doesn't have a leader yet. So it's the true definition of "open competition" in Oxnard. Related: Dak Prescott 'Not Respected' in Dallas Cowboys Locker Room ESPN Claims Related: Cowboys Fans Saddened by Projection to Cut Loose Deuce
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cowboys Fans Stunned At Brutal 2025 Win Total Projection
Despite a solid offseason, an even better draft, and a host of key starters returning from injury, it appears not many are sold on the Dallas Cowboys in 2025. After a 2024 season that saw injuries derail the season en route to a 7-10 record, the Cowboys, one can easily argue, are better on paper than they were a year ago. Advertisement With the NFL schedule now released and the Cowboys knowing who they are playing and when, everyone is giving their season predictions regarding how many games the Cowboys will win. And for Cynthia Frelund, who used odds from Caesars Sportsbook & Casino, the Cowboys' win total projection for 2025 is just 7.2 wins. And we can hear a stunned Cowboys Nation right now ... "Yuck.'' "Here's the Cowboys' toughest three-game stretch: In Week 12, they host the Eagles, welcome the Chiefs on Thanksgiving Day in Week 13 and then head to Detroit for a Thursday Night Football clash in Week 14," Frelund wrote. "It's important to remember that if Dak Prescott and Micah Parsons, who each missed time in 2024, are available all season, Dallas' ceiling increases, especially if rookie right guard Tyler Booker is able to get acclimated." Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Davis-Imagn Images So with a healthy roster and the additions of George Pickens, Javonte Williams, Dante Fowler Jr., and Jack Sanborn, just to name a few, coupled with the draft haul of Tyler Booker, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Shavon Revel Jr., and Jayden Blue, the Cowboys are going to be as "bad" as last season? Advertisement Color us skeptical on that. But after the year they had, the Cowboys have to prove that they aren't that team anymore and that things have changed. With a disastrous injury list and a lame duck season, Dallas won seven games in 2024. We find it hard to believe that the Cowboys, after their offseason dealings, will win the same number of games in 2025. Related: Schottenheimer's Cowboys Offer Inside Look at 'Spicy Schedule' Related: Cowboys George Pickens Jerseys On Sale Despite Missing Key Detail
