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Cowboys Reveal Most Important Position Battle

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated May 18, 2025 11:45 AM ET

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.

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.

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.

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.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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