The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly evaluating additional running back options ahead of the summer to supplement the team’s RB depth behind Javonte Williams, who finished as the RB11 in Fantasy Points Per Game last season. Zamir White is unlikely to make the Dallas roster after he managed just 2.8 Yards Per Carry and a 22.0-percent Juke Rate in his most recent active season.
This report is more of a shot across the bow of Dallas grinders Phil Mafah and Malik Davis, because even if signed, White projects as an insignificant factor facing minimal roster security inside a high-volume passing attack.
Tommy Yarrish of the Dallas Cowboys' official website writes...
Dallas Cowboys running back Malik Davis has emerged as the ...
Dallas Cowboys running back Malik Davis has been waived by ...
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.
The Dallas Cowboys have released RB Malik Davis from their roster amid cutdowns. An undrafted free agent coming out of Florida in 2022, Davis provided solid depth as a rookie, amassing over 220 all-purpose yards. He was also the presumptive handcuff to Tony Pollard coming into training camp; however, that changed during the preseason. Rico Dowdle and impressive rookie Deuce Vaughn seemingly passed him on the depth chart and will provide depth behind starting RB Pollard.
While Vaughn truthers are rejoicing today, it is likely Dowdle who will take over the No. 2 running back duties in Dallas. A three-year veteran, Dowdle hasn’t actually played in an NFL game since his rookie campaign in 2020. Nonetheless, he has impressed enough in camp to warrant a significant role in this backfield in 2022. Tony Pollard doesn’t have the build to take on a large workload, and Dowdle may carve out a regular part of the offense.
Dowdle will be rostered in fantasy leagues though for the handcuff value he provides in what will be one of the league’s best offenses. If anything were to happen to Pollard, Dowdle would immediately enter the conversation as a top 15 fantasy running back. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on Deuce Vaughn as well. After making the initial roster, the Cowboys appear to see something in the undersized running back from Kansas State. Vaughn doesn’t have the body to take on a large workload, but he could be highly efficient in the touches he does receive.
