The NFL Draft is finally upon us. Before the first round gets underway on April 24, let's recap what the Cowboys have done so far this offseason.
Whether it was re-signing their own players, adding new ones in free agency or making a few trades, the Cowboys were rather active in reshaping the roster under first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer.
So let's take a closer look at what each position currently looks like, today's peek being into the running backs group.
What Happened: Everything has happened, again. It's yet another offseason filled with questions regarding not only what the depth will look like in the running backs room but, more importantly, who will be the starters? Previously, it was Ezekiel Elliott being released by the Cowboys to clear the way for Tony Pollard to take the lead role, only Pollard wasn't awarded a multi-year deal at the time, and instead had a career season on a franchise tag before leaving for the Titans. The RB-by-committee approach that followed in 2024 was a massive failure, to put it lightly, but Rico Dowdle did emerge as a lead back en route to a contract year of his own; but he took a page out of Pollard's book and signed with the Panthers in March.
Elliott was again released, this past December, and now it's anyone's guess as to who will be the workhorse(s) in Dallas behind Dak Prescott.
What's Up: The front office did get active in free agency at the position, signing two intriguing names to the mix. Javonte Williams joins the team after two of his best NFL seasons with the Broncos and he'll immediately look to compete with someone he's studied closely and looked up to in the past — namely Miles Sanders, who knows the Cowboys well from his time spent trying to hand them losses for the Eagles. Behind those two await the emergence of Deuce Vaughn, who is reunited with former Kansas State University offensive line coach and coordinator Conor Riley, as well as Hunter Luepke, someone who showed strong promise over the past two seasons but also one who, like Vaughn, has yet to break out of the box.
Not to be forgotten in all of this is Malik Davis, having bided his time patiently on the Cowboys' practice squad following a bit of a flashy debut as an undrafted rookie in 2022. Davis is staring at his best opportunity yet to try and move others out of his way.
What's Next: To be frank, the 2025 NFL Draft is what's next. The addition of Williams and Sanders guarantees insurance for the Cowboys against what may not fall in their favor in late April, but it doesn't preclude them from potentially using a premium pick at the position. Should Ashton Jeanty, as one and the primary example here, fall to them at No. 12, I'd be flabbergasted to see them pass on him. But if Jeanty is gone, and he likely will be, the depth at the position in this year's draft class means Dallas will still have an opportunity to get a lead back in the second round, or possibly even in the third.
Who they walk out of this year's draft with will tell a more complete and clear story about the future of the RB position in Dallas, and not simply for the 2025 season, although that's the one they'll need to promise Brian Schottenheimer is well taken care of — to avoid the struggles suffered by his predecessor in the run game.
