Reports out of Dallas Cowboys OTAs are that Javonte Williams is already leading the presumed 2025 committee at running back. Of course, it’s still early in the offseason, but Williams was the de facto choice to take all the reps when the first team offense was on the field. Williams carries more pedigree than his backfield mates; the former second-round pick (2021, North Carolina) is still in his prime after just turning 25 in April.

Should Williams earn the starting nod, that leaves 28-year-old Miles Sanders, 2025 rookies Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah, and diminutive 23-year-old Deuce Vaugn, the latter of whom is probably on his way out. Sanders is 28 and on his third team in seven seasons, and it would appear this year’s fifth-rounder, Blue, would have an inside track to at least begin the season as No. 2 on the depth chart.

After suffering a gruesome multi-ligament tear in his knee in 2022, Williams has had a bumpy road back. Former head coach Vic Fangio was enamoured with utilizing Jaleel McLaughlin often. When Sean Payton took over, he ran a true committee backfield with the addition of rookie Audric Estime. Now in Dallas, who has been lacking an ideal option, Williams is the best-suited of the bunch to handle the rock early and often. After returning from injury, Williams was still able to account for just shy of 2,000 yards and nine touchdowns in 2023 and 2024.

Author: Sam Schneider (@BuyAndSellYou)