Since Ezekiel Elliott left, the Cowboys’ rushing attack has been in a rut. Since 2022, Dallas has started three different running backs: Tony Pollard, Rico Dowdle, and their current starter, Javonte Williams.
While they haven’t had a bad rushing attack, they have yet to recreate the same success they had with Elliott.
Many fans thought Pollard had the chance to replace Elliott after posting back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons from 2022-2023, but a2022 to 2023fter shockingly letting him leave after the 2023 season, the team was left searching for another running back to lead their rushing attack.
On a hopeful note, it appears Dallas has found its guy in Javonte Williams. In his first year with the team, he recorded 1,201 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. Those kinds of stats are what secure players long-term deals with a team. That deal eventually came in Feb. 2026, when Williams signed a three-year, $24 million extension, making him the NFL’s 17th-highest-paid running back.
Despite knowing who will be leading its backfield in the 2026 season, an NFL backfield goes much deeper than just the starter. A team needs balance at the running back position. Ideally, teams have a backup who complements the starter.
For example, for teams that have an elusive, quicker running back taking most of the snaps, the ideal backup would be a stronger power back to take most of the short-yardage and goal-line carries.
What Would Make for Ideal Cowboys RB2?
Something that the Cowboys truly lacked last season was a running back opposing defenses had to fear could break a run for a touchdown. Javonte Williams is what many would consider a north/south running back, which means most of his runs will come between the tackles, where good ball-carrier vision and strength thrive.
Williams is as powerful as running backs come, but sometimes that’s just not enough. For this offense to really thrive, they need to pair him with an east/west running back. Someone who just needs a little space to work with, and he can turn any play into a big gain through pure athleticism. By pairing these archetypes together, Dallas will once again be able to produce one of the NFL’s best rushing attacks.
Who Will Emerge as the RB2 for Dallas?
Dallas has the chance to do just that with its backfield. Second-year running back Jaydon Blue is entering the season with the best chance to be Williams’ backup.
But after a disappointing rookie season, many are considering this a “make-or-break” year for Blue. On paper, Blue should be the frontrunner to back up Williams. He has elite burst and acceleration, making him extremely hard to tackle at the point of attack while also displaying great hands and route-running ability.
Despite those tools, Blue struggled to put everything together as a rookie. He didn’t consistently showcase his breakaway speed and struggled to protect the football and find holes in running plays. That opens the door for veteran Malik Davis.
Davis is entering his fifth season with the Cowboys, and after a promising end to the 2025 season, he carried the ball 20 times for 103 yards in a Week 17 win against the Washington Commanders. That makes the battle for the RB2 spot much more interesting.
The question is: Do the Cowboys go with the upside and big-play potential Blue offers, or do they go with Davis’ experience, knowing he has already proven he can be a dependable backup at the highest level of football?
From what we’ve all seen from the offseason, Jaydon Blue should be the one to back up Javonte. Blue brings a level of pop to this run game that Dallas didn’t have last season.
Leave a comment