The Dallas Cowboys are never far from the spotlight, but heading into the 2025 NFL season, it is the state of their running back group that is generating the most concern.
While the team boasts established stars in nearly every other area of the offense, the Cowboys‘ backfield has been singled out by national analysts as the franchise’s weakest link and, according to Kyle Crabbs of A to Z Sports, possibly the worst position group in the entire league.
Crabbs did not pull punches in his assessment, writing, “Dallas is welcoming a whole lot of new at running back this year, with four new faces in the room.
“Are they better than what they were last year with Rico Dowdle serving as the primary runner? I’m not sure.”
Crabbs went on to question the upside of both Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders, the former Denver and Carolina backs now tasked with revitalizing the Cowboys‘ ground attack.
“Neither have managed to consistently deliver efficient production over the past few years,” he added.
Uncertainty Replaces Experience
After losing Rico Dowdle to the Carolina Panthers in free agency, Dallas sought to patch the gap by bringing in a new cast of running backs.
Dowdle, who led the Cowboys with 1,079 rushing yards last season, signed with Carolina on a relatively affordable deal.
Instead of investing heavily in an established star, the Cowboys opted for a more experimental approach, bringing in Javonte Williams, who has shown flashes of talent but battled injuries and inconsistency in Denver.
The strategy is drawing skepticism from across the league.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox highlighted the risk Dallas is taking with Williams, saying, “For Williams to hang onto any semblance of a true RB1 role, he may have to showcase the same consistency and explosiveness he showed as a rookie in 2021.”
Williams‘ struggles with injury and form since his rookie year mean he is far from a sure bet, and the Cowboys‘ reliance on him, combined with the addition of Sanders, has left many analysts questioning the wisdom of the front office’s approach.
Rookies Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah have also been added to the mix, providing Dallas with youth but little in the way of proven results. As the season approaches, all eyes are on head coach Mike McCarthy and his staff to see whether they can coax a breakout performance from a group that, on paper, looks underwhelming compared to previous seasons.
Cowboys’ Ground Game Must Prove Critics Wrong
The criticism aimed at the Cowboys‘ backfield comes amid high expectations for the rest of the team.
Quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, and left guard Tyler Smith are established stars.
The glaring uncertainty at running back, however, threatens to unbalance a team with playoff ambitions.
With Crabbs dubbing the Cowboys‘ running backs as the NFL’s worst group, the pressure is on the coaching staff and players alike to turn skepticism into results.
If Williams, Sanders, or one of the rookies can step up and deliver, it may quiet the critics and help Dallas achieve the balanced offense they will need to challenge for a deep playoff run.
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