Cowboys $3 million running back could be on last legs for career

[Bamx]

The Dallas Cowboys have one player who could make or break his career this season.


The Dallas Cowboys have a number of different players who could make an impact in the backfield this season.

The team drafted two rookies in Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah while retaining Deuce Vaughn and signing Miles Sanders, but it could be a different free agent signee who could make the biggest impact.

NFL.com writer Nick Shook named Cowboys running back Javonte Williams as a player who is entering a "make or break" season.

"Williams fizzled out in Denver and ended up accepting a one-year, $3 million deal to headline Dallas' underwhelming backfield," Shook wrote.


https://www.si.com/nfl/cowboys/news/dallas-cowboys-running-back-could-be-last-legs-career

 

[Pass2Run]

I still think it's very possible that we add another back before game 1.

 

[shabazz]

I still think it's very possible that we add another back before game 1.

Ive been hearing Royce Freeman is coming in for a visit

 

[fivetwos]

I still think it's very possible that we add another back before game 1.

I wouldn’t think so. They added the guys they added because they like them.

The fans may not, but they apparently do. If anything they probably think they have too many as is.

 

[tromofan]

$3 million dollar deal to “HEADLINE” Dallas underwhelming backfield!
He’s a page 8 story at best. Sanders and the young guns are where you wanna keep your focus.

 

[jazzcat22]

I wouldn’t think so. They added the guys they added because they like them.

The fans may not, but they apparently do. If anything they probably think they have too many as is.

I agree, they like who they have going into TC.
As what RB is really out there that can come in and be any better. Until they see them in TC and PS games.
Other than a B by trade.

Fans will always agree or disagree with what the FO does. And that goes for all teams.
Some Eagles fans last year, probably thought, has Howie lost it, bringing in Barkley. Those same fans are now loving it.

Just like some fans like drafting Blue, other fans wish they would have taken a RB sooner in the draft. Come mid season, those fans may love blue, or the fans that liked it, will hate it if he fails, or does not have a great rookie season.

 

[Brooksey]

The Dallas Cowboys have one player who could make or break his career this season.


The Dallas Cowboys have a number of different players who could make an impact in the backfield this season.

The team drafted two rookies in Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah while retaining Deuce Vaughn and signing Miles Sanders, but it could be a different free agent signee who could make the biggest impact.

NFL.com writer Nick Shook named Cowboys running back Javonte Williams as a player who is entering a "make or break" season.

"Williams fizzled out in Denver and ended up accepting a one-year, $3 million deal to headline Dallas' underwhelming backfield," Shook wrote.


https://www.si.com/nfl/cowboys/news/dallas-cowboys-running-back-could-be-last-legs-career

Javonte will most likely be the lead back to start the season, Blue will probably come on mid season and split duties especially in the passing game. Stories about Miles Sanders looking fast in shorts means nothing right now.

 

[TwistedL0g1k]

Better hope Blue can play! Maybe I should say "block", because Blue can definitely run.

I have low expectations for Williams. Hope I'm wrong. Remember the same GM that thought Zeke could still play is now delivering Williams, who averaged almost a full yard less per carry than last year's starter- the good but not elite Dowdle.

Really looking forward to seeing Mafah play in pre-season too. He needs to beat out Williams or Sanders.

It would have been nice to use a second or third round pick on a 3-down feature back, but you can't fault Dallas's picks. Lucky that Blue was still around late. A 2026 mock draft that came out yesterday had Dallas taking a RB in round one! Haha. That's not happening of course, but it does say something about the current backfield.

 

[Bamx]

Better hope Blue can play! Maybe I should say "block", because Blue can definitely run.

I have low expectations for Williams. Hope I'm wrong. Remember the same GM that thought Zeke could still play is now delivering Williams, who averaged almost a full yard less per carry than last year's starter- the good but not elite Dowdle.

Really looking forward to seeing Mafah play in pre-season too. He needs to beat out Williams or Sanders.

It would have been nice to use a second or third round pick on a 3-down feature back, but you can't fault Dallas's picks. Lucky that Blue was still around late. A 2026 mock draft that came out yesterday had Dallas taking a RB in round one! Haha. That's not happening of course, but it does say something about the current backfield.

Blue would have probably been a 3rd to 4th rounder in any other draft year. 2025 draft was stacked at RB

 

[fivetwos]

Javonte will most likely be the lead back to start the season, Blue will probably come on mid season and split duties especially in the passing game. Stories about Miles Sanders looking fast in shorts means nothing right now.

You I’ve gotta figure that Blue has the highest upside of the group….but if they try to overuse him it’ll likely back fire.

He needs like 8-10 rushes and 2-3 targets a game.

Should really be used like Pollard was. The question is who is Zeke in that equation.

Williams maybe, but Mafah possibly steps it up. It’d be nice to have two young runners to get it done. Draft a replacement for each every 2-4 years and avoid spending big money or draft capital there.

 

[ConstantReboot]

All I want is a fresh running back who can gain yards after contact and break tackles. Zeke has lost that ability, yet Jerry still signed him. What a dumb decision.

Frankly, I would have been happy if they had re-signed Dowdle. This is yet another example of Jerry meddling in something he doesn't understand—like a stoned kid playing with explosives in a science lab.

 

[phildadon86]

The Dallas Cowboys have one player who could make or break his career this season.


The Dallas Cowboys have a number of different players who could make an impact in the backfield this season.

The team drafted two rookies in Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah while retaining Deuce Vaughn and signing Miles Sanders, but it could be a different free agent signee who could make the biggest impact.

NFL.com writer Nick Shook named Cowboys running back Javonte Williams as a player who is entering a "make or break" season.

"Williams fizzled out in Denver and ended up accepting a one-year, $3 million deal to headline Dallas' underwhelming backfield," Shook wrote.


https://www.si.com/nfl/cowboys/news/dallas-cowboys-running-back-could-be-last-legs-career

Imagine watching your direct rival. Win a SB on the back of a great RB.

And you go out and sign a guy for 3 million on the first day of FA just to say you did something.

 

[big dog cowboy]

"Williams fizzled out in Denver and ended up accepting a one-year, $3 million deal to headline Dallas' underwhelming backfield," Shook wrote.

That tells me all I need to know. Bargain bin player.

 

[Coogiguy03]

I still think it's very possible that we add another back before game 1.

Someone we've never heard of before

 

[Jarntt]

Most likely Williams leads the team in rushing this season

 

[Johannes44]

And you go out and sign a guy for 3 million on the first day of FA just to say you did something.

This is not a serious franchise. No one can tell me that this franchise is actually competing for a Super Bowl. Plenty of lip service given to the goal of winning the thing but when it’s time to actually do something - crickets.

 

[KJJ]

I still think it's very possible that we add another back before game 1.

Only if we don’t like what we see in camp and preseason unless a quality back is released.

 

[Bamx]

Most likely Williams leads the team in rushing this season

Is that a good or a bad thing.

 

[Bamx]

I still think it's very possible that we add another back before game 1.

This is where I would look if I was the GM

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profo...about-trade-rumors-would-be-a-waste-of-energy

 

[conner01]

Better hope Blue can play! Maybe I should say "block", because Blue can definitely run.

I have low expectations for Williams. Hope I'm wrong. Remember the same GM that thought Zeke could still play is now delivering Williams, who averaged almost a full yard less per carry than last year's starter- the good but not elite Dowdle.

Really looking forward to seeing Mafah play in pre-season too. He needs to beat out Williams or Sanders.

It would have been nice to use a second or third round pick on a 3-down feature back, but you can't fault Dallas's picks. Lucky that Blue was still around late. A 2026 mock draft that came out yesterday had Dallas taking a RB in round one! Haha. That's not happening of course, but it does say something about the current backfield.

When a RB loses his quickness there is not turning it back on. That was the problem with Zeke. The same blockers got the other RB 4.0 per carry