The Dallas Cowboys' run game under Brian Schottenheimer has consistently been criticized for its lack of potential in 2025.
Miles Sanders, Javonte Williams, and rookie speed merchant Jaydon Blue, right now, look like the top three choices for Schotty as we get closer to Oxnard and training camp.
But it appears that nothing Dallas has done this offseason regarding player acquisition or the coaching hires of Klayton Adams and Conor Riley, both offensive line and run game gurus, has shifted the thought that it is going to be bad.
And for former NFL running back Maurice Jones-Drew, who ranked all starting running backs, has the Cowboys dead last at No. 32...but he has Williams as the starter.
"The Cowboys had one of the worst rushing attacks in 2024, finishing 27th in yards and last in TDs," Jones-Drew writes. "They completely overhauled the RB room by signing Williams and Miles Sanders before drafting Texas product Jaydon Blue. Though Williams should be healthy entering his first season in Dallas, it's likely Brian Schottenheimer will use a committee to run the ball more effectively while putting a big emphasis on the star-studded passing attack."
Cowboys running backs Miles Sanders, Deuce Vaughn and Javonte Williams at training camp.
Cowboys running backs Miles Sanders, Deuce Vaughn and Javonte Williams at training camp.
by Mike Fisher
Through OTAs and minicamp, it has been Sanders as much as Williams who has impressed the coaching staff, with the thought being if a game were to be played today, it might just be Miles starting behind Dak Prescott.
Of course, that was without pads on, so when we get to Oxnard, we will be intently watching to see who can separate themselves from the pack. Still, it is looming as another running back-by-committee approach in Dallas, with all three players mentioned possessing at least one "Schottenheimer trait" that the head coach is looking for.
As far as the Cowboys having the worst run game in football, which is the second time we've seen that mentioned this offseason, let's not forget that the duo of Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott wasn't that last year (ranked 27th for yards per game).
So what makes Sanders, Williams, and Blue worse?
Yeah, we don't know, either.