Dallas head coach Brian Schottenheimer is praising second-year running back Jaydon Blue following a maturity shift after a rookie year containing a minimal 129 rushing yards (No. 76). The team requires dynamic elements to elevate an offense that ranked No. 27 in explosive play rate last season, opening a clear path for the sophomore back to contest rookie Phil Mafah and Malik Davis for touches.
If Blue continues to develop through training camp, expect him to claim the primary change-of-pace role behind lead option Javonte Williams. Blue should be drafted in the final rounds of best ball and stashed in all dynasty league formats.
Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams is coming off ...
Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams was one of the...
Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams had the ...
With Javonte Williams absent from practice, the Dallas Cowboys opened the door for their supplemental backfield pieces to capture critical summer reps. The vacancy allows sophomore grinder Phil Mafah, as well as Jaydon Blue and Malik Davis, to compete for touches behind Williams.
This absence also yields an opportunity for sophomore grinder Phil Mafah to ascend the depth chart after being limited to just 10 offensive snaps all last season. Mafah is worth stashing in all formats given the Cowboys’ high-octane offense.
Fifth-year grinder Malik Davis currently holds the edge for the premium handcuff role behind Javonte Williams. Despite surviving years of roster cuts to post 250 rushing yards on 4.4 True Yards Per Carry last season, Davis is next in line but is also staring down zero absolute job security.
Second-year running backs Jaydon Blue— and his elite 4.43 40 time—and Phil Mafah are actively gunning for the handcuff role, making this a training camp battle to monitor. Blue’s explosiveness and receiving profile makes him undroppable in dynasty, but Davis also needs to be stashed in deep leagues given the Cowboys’ high octane offense.
Javonte Williams parlayed a 1,338-yard, 13-touchdown season into a hefty raise from the Dallas Cowboys. After playing 2025 on a one-year deal for $3 million (just $1 million guaranteed), the former North Carolina Tar Heel responded with the best season of his five-year career.
Williams rang the bell today to the tune of three years and $24 million ($12 million GTD), taking him off the free agent market before it opens. He set career highs last season in carries (252), rushing yards (1,201), total touchdowns (13), yards/game, and yards/carry. Williams also had 67 first downs and a long run of 66 yards. He did not suit up for the final game of the season.
After breaking out as a rookie for over 900 yards despite starting only one game, Williams tore his ACL, LCL, and PLC in Week 4 of his second season. Various coaching philosophies and scheme changes occurred over the next two years. Williams had not realized his full potential until 2025. After the Broncos let him walk in free agency, he was a bright spot for the Cowboys, who had many questions at the position prior to the season.
Fantasy lowdown: Williams will return as the incumbent starter, providing stability at the position. Jaydon Blue dynasty managers already suffered through the growing pains of the rookie’s first season and will have to wait longer. It’s fair to assume Blue will compete with Malik Davis for the backup/handcuff role to Williams. The good news for those managers is that Blue just turned 22 in January, and Davis’ contract expires after 2026.
As for Williams, this shoots him back up the board in redraft and best ball leagues, where he currently sits around RB21. He should be an RB2 with RB1 upside as drafts get into full swing. Prior to the contact, Williams was coming off the board 60th overall in FastDraft best ball.
Author: Sam Schneider (@BuyAndSellYou)
Javonte Williams was a pleasant surprise in 2025. He delivered the RB12 performance on the season for fantasy football and presented as a massive value in all formats due to a cheaper ADP. Heading into the 2026 offseason, the Cowboys plan to prioritize re-signing him.
Williams 1,201 rushing yards were 9th and his 13 touchdowns ranked 7th at the running back position. This potent combination helped unfurl one of the best fantasy football values in 2025. With the 12th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Cowboys would be prudent to sign Williams to an extension and look elsewhere for team building purposes. In what is becoming a yearly tradition, fantasy gamers will wishcast other running backs to the Cowboys, keeping Williams’ price point in dynasty at a price good for buyers.
Author: Jeremiah Retzlaff (@coachretzlaff1)
The Dallas Cowboys handed the NY Jets their 5th straight loss with a convincing 35-22 win on Sunday.
No Ceedee Lamb, no problem. It’s a next man up mentality for the offense as the Dallas Cowboys got back into the win column after a tie in week 4 vs the Green Bay Packers.
Dak Prescott finished 18 of 29 for 237 yards and four touchdowns behind an offensive line decimated by injuries. Javonte Williams had another productive day, recording 135 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries while catching a four-yard touchdown pass. Second-year wide receiver Ryan Flournoy had the biggest day of his career, finishing with six receptions for 114 yards, and George Pickens had two receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown. Jake Ferguson is flourishing this season. He finished the game with seven receptions for 49 yards and two touchdowns. He has finished as a top-five tight end in four of the five weeks played, and with 41 receptions, he becomes only the fourth tight end to have more than 40 catches in a team’s first five games.
The Cowboys will play the Carolina Panthers in Week 6 and look to keep their high-powered offense rolling.
Author: Dane Madoche(@FF_DaMaddog)
