With only one preseason recreation remaining for the Dallas Cowboys, just one factor has turn into nearly inevitable on the working again place—Javonte Williams will seemingly be the primary one within the huddle when the offense takes their first snap of the common season in Philadelphia on opening evening.
In back-to-back weeks, Williams has not taken a snap on offense within the preseason and has sat with different key starters, similar to Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, Jake Ferguson, and George Pickens. It’s not all the time an apparent indicator, however even Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones is happy for what Williams can deliver this yr.
Though Williams is anticipated to be the beginning working again, it doesn’t imply he’ll dominate the carries on offense. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer has emphasised his need to implement a committee of working backs who will every obtain their fair proportion of touches all through the season, which means a number of gamers will get a chance to contribute. The actual query is who would be the second and third gamers within the rotation.
On Saturday evening towards the Baltimore Ravens, veteran Miles Sanders obtained the beginning and made his Cowboys debut after recovering the previous couple of weeks from a knee damage he suffered in apply. Sanders was the Cowboys’ main rusher with simply 15 yards off seven carries. In his restricted alternatives, Sanders confirmed some burst and seemed contemporary, however there have been additionally moments the place he danced round looking for the fitting lane to run via.
The offense, led by Joe Milton, by no means discovered a rhythm, which led to drives turning into three-and-outs, compelled turnovers, and by no means getting near the crimson zone. It was powerful to truthfully consider the working again place when the group as an entire ran the ball 20 occasions for 50 yards. Sanders seemed okay, however does that imply he’s assured that second spot behind Williams? His veteran expertise might give him the sting in that call.
If each Williams and Sanders make it to the 53, that would go away Hunter Luepke, Deuce Vaughn, Malik Davis, and rookie draft picks Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah. Schottenheimer has praised Luepke all through coaching camp and talked about his versatility as a runner, however at fullback and tight finish. That makes his spot on the roster extra prone to be secure than not.
Out of the 2 rookies, Jaydon Blue is a lock, given his larger draft standing, love from the entrance workplace, and the expansion he’s proven throughout apply regardless of not with the ability to swimsuit up for preseason video games. If the group desires to hold 5 working backs, that may imply a three-man competitors for the ultimate spot between Mafah, Davis, and Vaughn.
Mafah has was a fan favourite and rightfully so. His debut final week towards the Los Angeles Rams was higher than his second recreation, however he’s flashed a physicality and working type in apply the offense may not have in Sanders and Williams. That makes it much more intriguing to hold him over to the 53-man roster. He’d be a preferred title if Dallas desires to go heavy within the backfield, or if Sanders begins falling off the depth chart.
Because it stands heading into Week 3 of the preseason, the working again pecking order might appear like Williams, Sanders, Blue, and Luepke as the highest 4. Meaning Mafah, Vaughn, and Davis could be on the surface trying in, and can attempt to drive the entrance workplace to justify protecting a fifth runner, or probably exchange Sanders.
