The Dallas Cowboys’ offense sputtered in the 2024-25 season, with a weak running game standing out as a major liability. Determined to fix this problem, the front office wasted no time reshaping the backfield. They aggressively added veterans Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders, drafted Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah, and kept Hunter Luepke in the mix.
Now, with the roster trimmed to 53 players, the moves have been made, but the real test is about to begin.
How Does the Cowboys’ Running Back Depth Chart Stack Up?
The Cowboys unveiled their initial 53-man roster on August 27, featuring five running backs. However, just two days later, that number changed when seventh-round rookie Phil Mafah was moved to IR, trimming the group to four. This situation leaves a mix of new faces and returning players to carry the load. Here’s a closer look at the running backs currently on Dallas’ depth chart.
Who Is Javonte Williams?
Javonte Williams is the key newcomer in the Dallas running back room, signing with the team after four years with the Denver Broncos. He is now set to be the starter for the Cowboys in Week 1. In 54 games with the Broncos, the 2021 second-round pick gained 2,394 rushing yards on 606 carries for a 4.0-yard average and 11 rushing touchdowns. Additionally, Williams profiles as one of the best pass-catching backs in the league.
Javonte Williams vs the Chiefs on SNF
23 carries
102 yards
4.4 YPC
6 rec
76 yards
12.7 AVG
1 TD https://t.co/KhtcNtthFX pic.twitter.com/UUn2kj9d9v
— Michael🇲🇽 (@RespectMyCos) July 23, 2023
Over his four seasons, the 25-year-old pulled in 158 receptions on 203 targets and scored five touchdowns through the air. He sports a 6.1 yards-per-attempt average and caught 77.8% of his targets. His contributions helped Denver achieve the 16th-best offense, according to PFSN’s Offense+ metric.
While Williams looked completely washed up last year, rushing for just 513 yards on 3.7 yards per carry in an ugly committee, the Cowboys run a pass-heavy offense. For them, the priority is pass protection, which is one of Williams’ greatest strengths.
Who Is Miles Sanders?
After serving just two years of a four-year contract with the Carolina Panthers, Sanders signed a one-year deal with the Cowboys to rejuvenate his career. The 28-year-old was drafted in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft and spent four years with the Philadelphia Eagles before signing with Carolina as a free agent in 2023. During his time in Philadelphia, Sanders rushed for 3,708 yards and 20 touchdowns while adding 942 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.
However, he couldn’t replicate that production in Carolina, managing just 637 combined yards and four total touchdowns over two seasons. Now in Dallas, Sanders is looking for a fresh start in a crowded backfield, where his experience and versatility could still earn him a valuable role behind Williams.
Who Is Jaydon Blue?
The Cowboys selected Jaydon Blue with the 149th overall pick out of Texas. He impressed during training camp and the preseason with his explosiveness and is now expected to get some touches in the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. During his final season with the Longhorns, Blue recorded 730 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, while also hauling in 42 receptions for 368 yards and six additional scores.
Those numbers highlighted his potential as a dual-threat weapon for Brian Schottenheimer’s offense, and he seems well on his way to translating that success to the professional level.
Who Is Hunter Luepke?
A two-time FCS National Champion at North Dakota State, Luepke built a reputation as a versatile fullback and power runner. Despite his success with the Bison, he went undrafted in 2023 but quickly signed with the Cowboys as a free agent. Opportunities have been limited for the 25-year-old, but he has carved out a steady role on the roster. Luepke appeared in 17 games as a rookie and 16 more in his sophomore season, contributing on special teams and in situational packages.
While his production has been modest, with 18 carries for 57 yards and one touchdown, his versatility and reliability make him a useful depth piece. Unless injuries strike higher up the depth chart, Luepke is expected to continue in a supporting role rather than as a featured back.
