Second-year back Jaydon Blue is earning first-team reps in training camp after posting a modest 24.7% Snap Share during his rookie campaign. Armed with 4.43 speed and an 11.3% College Target Share, Blue offers a complementary pass-catching profile to starter Javonte Williams.
Securing the change-of-pace role in Dallas elevates Blue into an intriguing late-round target in fantasy football best ball leagues, and he is now a Zero RB target in redraft formats based solely on situational upside and explosiveness.
Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams finally gave ...
After a strong first year with the Dallas Cowboys, running ...
Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams had a ...
Jaydon Blue disappointed with a meager 11.3-percent college target share at Texas and followed it up by flopping to a 24.7-percent snap share during his rookie year. Despite the limited initial usage behind Javonte Williams, Dallas left its depth chart untouched, keeping a potential change-of-pace role open for the young back.
If Blue builds on the work ethic praised by coaching staffs this summer, he is on the menu for Zero RB team builds and deep best ball formats. Blue is also a high-upside dynasty league taxi squad stash.
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.
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)
