The Dallas Cowboys’ backfield presents one of the most intriguing fantasy football storylines heading into the 2025 season, with multiple players vying for touches in what could be a dramatically improved rushing attack. After ranking among the NFL’s worst ground games last season with just 4.0 yards per carry and a league-low six rushing touchdowns, Dallas has undergone significant changes that could create unexpected value for savvy fantasy football managers.
Both Javonte Williams and rookie Jaydon Blue represent potential breakout candidates who are currently flying under the radar in drafts, offering compelling risk-reward scenarios for those willing to take a chance on the Cowboys’ rushing renaissance. With question marks surrounding the depth chart and plenty of opportunity available, this backfield could produce some of the season’s biggest surprises.
Javonte Williams Fantasy Outlook
Whoever takes on the lead role in the Dallas Cowboys backfield this season is likely one of the most underpriced players in fantasy football. According to ADP, Williams is the current favorite for that role, but he is still the 37th running back to be taken in drafts.
The Cowboys were atrocious on the ground last season, something that was already hindering their results long before QB Dak Prescott’s Week 9 hamstring injury. Only two teams averaged fewer yards per carry than Dallas (4.0) last year, while none tallied fewer rushing touchdowns (6).
Javonte Williams goes untouched into the end zone! #DENvsNO on Prime Video
Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/00Bqt0nJiR— NFL (@NFL) October 18, 2024
Down the stretch, though, things began to brighten up in that respect. From Week 12 onward, Rico Dowdle averaged 20.3 attempts per game. He turned that into an average of 96.7 rushing yards per game and was the RB18 in fantasy points per game in that span.
Williams was far from efficient in Denver last season, but so were all of the team’s other running backs. If he can find gaps more often in Dallas, he also has the receiving prowess to become a valuable fantasy asset. Question marks over his role make Williams a gamble, but the lead role in an improved Dallas offense would likely make him one of the steals of the year.
— Cameron Sheath, Fantasy Football Analyst
Jaydon Blue Fantasy Outlook
The Dallas Cowboys were arguably the worst rushing team in the league last season. Only two teams averaged fewer rushing yards per attempt than Dallas (4.0), while none scored fewer rushing touchdowns (six).
That being said, Rico Dowdle did manage to turn that barren environment into an RB2 finish, ending the season as the RB23 overall, averaging 12.4 fantasy points per game. Former Denver Broncos back Williams will start the year as the team’s lead back, but Blue could get work as a pass catcher, having excelled in that area in college.
He could soon be in for more opportunities if Williams fails to impress, though, which wouldn’t be too surprising. Of the 36 backs with at least 130 carries in 2024, only two averaged fewer yards per attempt than Williams (3.7). Beyond Williams, perennial backup Miles Sanders stands between Blue and the starting job, giving the rookie a real chance to earn significant usage in Year 1.
Blue scored 14 total touchdowns for Texas last year, including six through the air, and found the end zone for the Cowboys during the preseason. In the 12th round, Blue is the 44th running back being taken in drafts and has a far clearer pathway to a starting role than most of the backups being taken around him.
— Cameron Sheath, Fantasy Football Analyst
