The Dallas Cowboys are less than a month away from departing for Oxnard, Calif., for training camp, as the Brian Schottenheimer era approaches its official beginning on July 21.
In the Cowboys Depth Chart series, we will take a look at each position group to determine which players are safe, on the bubble or have work to do in terms of making the 53-man roster coming out of training camp in late August.
At the running back position, an offseason of change has seen the team part ways with the top two rushers from 2024 in Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott while adding three players to the position group.
Here is a look at the running backs going into training camp.
SAFE (2)
Javonte Williams, Jaydon Blue
When Schottenheimer said this offseason that he uses multiple receiving backs in his offensive system, Javonte Williams and Jaydon Blue immediately came to mind. Williams’ 52 receptions in 2024 with the Denver Broncos was the sixth-most across the league at the running back position, and Blue’s 368 receiving yards were the 10th-most among all FBS running backs in college football last season.
There isn’t a solidified starter in the room just yet, and that player could very well come from outside of this duo. But with the receiving ability of Williams and Blue, it would be tough to find a reality where either are not on the roster on cut day.
ON THE BUBBLE (3)
Miles Sanders, Phil Mafah, Hunter Luepke
Miles Sanders is about as close to being in the “safe” category as a player could be after a strong showing in OTAs and minicamp in his first offseason with the team, but he remains on the bubble because of his recent on-field performances over the last two years (637 yards and three touchdowns in 27 games). If he had been signed to a multi-year contract in free agency, maybe there would be more confidence in his ability to be a safe option going into camp.
What Schottenheimer decides to do with the running back position will be interesting, as the standard three running backs on a 53-man roster could see an exception if he decides to carry a fourth. Hunter Luepke doesn’t necessarily factor into that thinking with his unique role as a fullback and outside blocker, but Schottenheimer hasn’t yet commented on if he values his role as much as Mike McCarthy did.
Rookie Phil Mafah is probably the biggest question mark in the room. While he does bring more physicality and potentially more value in short yardage situations, can he be productive at the NFL level without breakaway speed and a receiving game to match?
WORK TO DO (1)
Deuce Vaughn
While Deuce Vaughn has sneaked onto the roster in each of his first two seasons, he hasn’t been able to find a role on the field that inspires any confidence going into 2025. After failing to crack the two-deep as a running back, the Cowboys tried to find a role for him on special teams. Unfortunately, his size at 5-foot-6, 176 pounds just doesn’t give him a lot of value there either.
For him to make the 53-man roster in 2025, Vaughn will need to have his biggest training camp and preseason yet.