While Rico Dowdle broke out and rushed for a career-high 1,079 yards and a pair of touchdowns during the 2024 season, also adding another 249 yards and three scores on 39 receptions, the Dallas Cowboys opted not to bring him back last offseason, apparently feeling he couldn't repeat that same level of production.
As such, needing to restock the running backs' room, America's Team signed veterans Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders in the early days of free agency, and then used two of their nine selections in the 2025 draft on the position, first taking Texas' Jaydon Blue in Round 5 at No. 149 overall and then Clemson's Phil Mafah in Round 7 at No. 239 overall.
Heading into training camp, Williams was the favorite for the RB1 role, which he obviously won, and he ultimately became one of the biggest bargains of the entire 2025 campaign.
Playing on a one-year deal for just $3 million, he went out and had the best season of his career, setting new personal bests with 1,201 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns, ranking ninth and eighth in the NFL, respectively, and adding another 137 yards and two scores on 35 receptions.
Unlike Dowdle, Williams did get himself a new contract, inking a three-year, $24 million deal, with $16 million in guaranteed money. So, the pressure is now on for the 26-year-old to go out in 2026 and repeat that career-best performance. But if he can do so, he can actually vault himself into the top 15 in Cowboys history in both rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.
Javonte Williams has a shot to vault up a couple of Cowboys' all-time lists in 2026
As mentioned, Williams rushed for a career-high 1,201 yards in 2025, a figure that already has him in 25th place on the Cowboys' all-time list in that particular category.
Now, we won't give you the full top 25 here, as there are 12 players we know he can't catch during this upcoming season, as Julius Jones currently resides in the No. 12 slot at 3,484 yards. But with a truly special season, Williams could move into the No. 13 slot, and if he simply repeats what he did in 2025, he'll easily move into the top 15.
- 13. Felix Jones: 2,728
- 14. Roger Staubach: 2,264
- 15. Ron Springs: 2,180
- 16. Dak Prescott: 2,115
- 17. Amos March: 2,065
- 18. Dan Reeves: 1,990
- 19. Troy Hambrick: 1,896
- 20. Duane Thomas: 1,596
- 21. Rico Dowdle: 1,464
- 22. Timmy Newsome: 1,226
- 23. Don Meredith: 1,216
- 24. Preston Pearson: 1,207
- 25. Javonte Williams: 1,201
As you can see, another 1,201 yards would move Williams past Roger Staubach. Whether he would take over that No. 14 slot depends on how things go on the ground for Dak Prescott, who sits in the No. 16 slot with 2,115. Nevertheless, as mentioned, Williams shouldn't have any issue moving up at least 10 slots if he stays healthy.
With his 11 rushing touchdowns, Williams finds himself in a tie for 22nd in Dallas history in that regard alongside Felix Jones. Again, we won't run through the entire list, but we'll start at No. 10 just in case Williams ups his production a bit in this department.
- T10. DeMarco Murray: 28
- T10. Ron Springs: 28
- 12. Herschel Walker: 27
- 13. Dan Reeves: 25
- 14. Tony Pollard: 23
- 15. Roger Staubach: 20
- T16. Timmy Newsome: 19
- T16. Doug Dennison: 19
- 18. Julius Jones: 18
- 19. Duane Thomas: 16
- 20. Don Meredith: 15
- 21. Amos Marsh: 14
- T22. Felix Jones: 11
- T22. Javonte Williams: 11
As you can see, another 11 moves Williams past Staubach into the No. 15 slot, and if he can somehow manage 17, which would mark the fourth-most in a single season in Cowboys history (Emmitt Smith naturally holds the top three slots), he'd move into a tie for 10th with DeMarco Murray and Ron Springs. The top 10 is a long shot, of course, but the top 15 is definitely doable.
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