The Dallas Cowboys have had trouble since Ezekiel Elliott’s prime. The team went from Elliott dominating the league in rushing, to Tony Pollard’s flash in the pan season, to an abysmal running game in 2024 that was sixth-worst in the NFL. The Cowboys tried to address the running back room this offseason, but of all the new faces, who could be the main back for the Dallas Cowboys? And more importantly, what is their role?

ON THE BUBBLE

Hunter Luepke — Luepke is technically considered a fullback. Luepke is technically a Mike McCarthy guy, so it’ll be interesting to see if Luepke fights for a spot on Brian Schottenheimer’s squad. At 18 career carries for 57 yards and 1 touchdown across two years, Luepke isn’t a red-zone threat that many would believe he could be. Luepke could very well be off the 53-man roster at the end of preseason.

Phil Mafah — If Luepke is off the roster, it’s likely because Mafah came in and wowed the coaching staff. Mafah would be the biggest back on the roster if Luepke is released. Mafah comes in after a career-best in carries (216) and yards (1,115) at Clemson last season, with 21 touchdowns across the past two seasons. Mafah has fresher legs than Luepke and the Cowboys likely don’t use a 7th-round selection on Mafah if they don’t think he’d be on this roster this year. If Mafah doesn’t make the 53-man roster, the Cowboys likely will try to keep him on the practice squad.

Deuce Vaughn — Vaughn could, in theory, be a valuable asset for the Cowboys. Vaughn brings something unique to the table that puts you in mind of Darren Sproles because Deuce is low to the ground and very shifty. Vaughn has struggled to be activated on gameday in the past, so the belief is that Vaughn has his final chance after being a cool draft story with his father making the call.

OPTION 3

Miles Sanders — Once upon a time, Sanders was my choice to be released. Sanders had a dreadful Carolina Panthers tenure, but it was on the Panthers. Sanders, the oldest running back on the team at 28, seems hungry to revive his career with the Cowboys. Before his two-year stint with the Panthers, Sanders had 1,269 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in 2022 for the Eagles. Sanders is turning heads in camp and is trying to tap into that 2022 version of himself.

OPTION 2

Javonte Williams — It’s a widely held belief that while this running back spot will be a competition, the Cowboys might lean towards Javonte Williams as the starter. Since they didn’t get to draft Omarion Hampton from UNC this year, they’ll rely on the former Tarheel to carry most of the load this season. Javonte, however, hasn’t done much in Denver over the last two years. Williams averaged around 3.6 yards per carry and hasn’t eclipsed 1,000 yards in a season during his four-year professional career. But if Williams fits the scheme, Dallas could have struck gold with Williams in a new environment.

OPTION 1

Jaydon Blue — I believe when the season is all said and done, Blue will be a household name in Dallas. After electrifying the Texas Longhorns crowd in college, Blue can use his world-class speed to separate himself from the rest of the running back room. Sometimes you have to lean on pure talent, and that’s exactly what Blue is. Blue is faster and has more tread on the tires than any of his fellow teammates. Blue’s already showing he can be an asset out of the backfield in the passing game, and being a threat at multiple levels of the offense can be what gets Blue the RB1 spot on the depth chart.

How do you see this Cowboys running back room shaping up? Who will be the starter in Week 1, and will they hold that spot throughout the season?