The Dallas Cowboys had a serious identity crisis at the running back position for the entire 2024 season. With Ezekiel Elliott not being the same explosive guy as he once was, a season-ending injury to Zack Martin and Rico Dowdle not being used properlyJerry Jones didn't waste any time putting more bodies in his RB unit.
The Cowboys decided to let Dowdle walked and brought in veterans Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams, while Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah were drafted to add more youth to the backfield. Fullback Hunter Luepke still has a valuable spot on the team as a run and pass blocker.
There are only so many spots on the 53-man roster, and Jon Machota of The Athletic envisions Dallas having a cluttered unit when all is said and done. Machota appeared on 105.3 The Fan to explain why he thinks all five (!) running backs will make the team.
"That's a position where if nobody really kind of runs away with it, I could see them going a little heavy at the running back spot to try and do a real running back by committee, which I am not a huge fan of. But it seems like Brian Schottenheimer could be willing to do that," Machota said.
Five RB's on Cowboys roster makes for repeat of 2024 identity crisis
Machota essentially confirmed what all Cowboys fans are fearing: None of the RBs really stand out from one another. The hope is Blue will eventually assert himself as the alpha, but that is going to take time.
Regardless, it would be unlike the Cowboys to draft Blue and Mafah if they didn't envision them making the roster.
Sanders has arguably been the most impressive RB since offseason workouts started. He is clearly playing with a chip on his shoulder after a poor Panthers tenure.
Williams is coming off his own down year with the Broncos, but he is only 25 years old and is now three years removed from his knee injury. Joining a high-powered passing offense and offensive coordinator Klayton Adam's exotic running schemes could help Williams unlock his potential.
Still, having five RBs on the roster with no clearcut alpha is overkill. Last season's backfield was arguably the worst in the NFL thanks to the Joneses refusing to table their Ezekiel Elliott loyalty. It was clear in training camp that Dowdle was the best runner on the team.
Now, with a crowded unit, this will be a busy summer for Schottenheimer and new running backs coach Derrick Foster, as he will have the best eye on who should be getting the more consistent reps going forward.