The Dallas Cowboys battle at running back is heated with the front office retooling the unit this offseason. Dallas signed a pair of veterans in Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders.
Additionally, the Cowboys selected former Texas Longhorns standout Jaydon Blue on the final day of the NFL draft with a fifth-round pick.
With training camp underway, the RB1 spot is up for grabs in Big D after Rico Dowdle bolted in NFL free agency for the Carolina Panthers. Pro Football Sports Network’s Jacob Infante offered a bold prediction for every NFL team as training camp begins.
Could a surprise be on the way for the Cowboys at running back? Let’s explore Blue’s chances to earn the starting gig in his rookie season.
Rookie Jaydon Blue Surprisingly Predicted To Be Named the Cowboys RB1
Infante predicts that Blue will emerge as the Cowboys RB1 over Williams and Sanders. The analyst makes the case for Dallas leaning on youth over experience in Week 1.
“Similar to Chicago, the Dallas Cowboys struggled in the run game in 2024 but didn’t make any massive moves to their running back room,” Infante wrote in a July 23, 2025, story titled, “1 Bold Prediction for Every NFL Team Entering 2025 Training Camp.”
“Javonte Williams is their projected starter, though he’s coming off a poor season in Denver. Keep an eye on rookie Jaydon Blue, who scored 14 touchdowns from scrimmage last year at Texas and has 4.3 speed.”
Can Cowboys RB Miles Sanders Return to the Player He Was With the Eagles?
The Cowboys are hoping that Sanders can return to the form fans witnessed during his tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles. Sanders earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2022 for posting 259 carries for 1,269 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Yet, if Sanders performs similarly to his two seasons with the Panthers, the veteran will be fighting for a roster spot. Additionally, Williams is looking to solidify himself as the team’s starter in what may be the most talented offense the running back has been part of during his NFL career.
Jaydon Blue & Deuce Vaughn Are Practicing With the Cowboys Backups
Blue has some ground to make up in order to live up to this prediction. The early indications are Williams and Sanders are the favorites to win the starting gig. Dallas could be headed towards a balanced rotation at running back rather than leaning heavily on one player.
Blue and Deuce Vaughn have been relegated to playing with the backups at the start of training camp. Yet, it is too early to make a massive judgment based on a handful of practices.
“Who will be the Cowboys’ running back?” ESPN’s Todd Archer detailed in a July 24, story titled, “2025 Dallas Cowboys training camp: Latest intel, updates.” “Coach Brian Schottenheimer said once the pads come on that the battle will hit full speed because of the nature of the position.
“But as the Cowboys opened practice Tuesday with a non-padded workout. Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders alternated with the starters during the eight team periods. Williams had five carries and Sanders finished with six,” Archer added.
“Deuce Vaughn and Jaydon Blue split the work behind backup quarterback Joe Milton III.”
