Maybe I’m naive, or maybe I’m a glass-half-full type of person, but the Dallas Cowboys’ run game in 2025 will be better than last season.
Granted, the bar isn’t exactly set too high for Miles Sanders, Javonte Williams, and Jaydon Blue to clear, with Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott leading the Cowboys to a 27th-ranked run game in 2024 (100.3 yards per game).
Plus, the coaching additions of Klayton Adams and Conor Riley (both have history of developing good run games) will hopefully see a big uptick in production from the run game, thanks to the offensive line carving out running lanes for Sanders, Willams, and Blue to scoot through.
But for The Athletic’s Jacob Robinson, running back is one position to watch this upcoming season.
“All Dallas had to do last offseason was sign one of Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley or Josh Jacobs,” Robinson writes. “The Cowboys instead paired Ezekiel Elliott with Rico Dowdle. Results were as expected, with the Cowboys ranking 27th in rushing yards per game (100.3). This year’s group is led by the shell of Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders and fifth-round pick Jaydon Blue. A committee is on the table.”
Right, we’ll tap the breaks on the Henry, Jacobs, and Barkley notion because we know – even though apparently The Athletic is unaware – that Dallas’ “Blow It Up” concept was in full flow last offseason, with the franchise wanting to keep its powder (money) dry for this offseason. So, none of that trio was a serious consideration or even a thought for the front office.
Henry, who as CowboysCountry.com was first to report had just purchased an offseason home in DFW and would’ve entertained a phone call that never came before signing a two-year, $16 million contract with Baltimore?
That’s worth jabbing the Cowboys. … because we’ll never know if he would’ve taken an “adopted hometown discount.” (We doubt it.)
Saquon, who last year signed a three-year, $37.75 million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles? It’s frankly ignorant to have expected Dallas to have entertained that idea in the spring of 2024.
Now, moving on. …
Sanders has barely been used in the last two seasons (just 184 attempts), and Williams falls into a similar category as well, so both will have chips on their shoulders looking to reignite their careers.
As for Blue, a speed merchant out of the backfield, plus his ability as a pass-catcher, gives Brian Schottenheimer a couple of levers to pull on game day.
Will the trio of Sanders, Williams, and Blue be better than Rico and Zeke?
Putting it simply, if the Cowboys are to have the bounce-back season they desire, they have to. Not “be better than Saquon and Henry.”
Just be better than Rico and Zeke.
