One of the most important tasks on the Dallas Cowboys’ priority lists heading into the 2025 NFL Draft was to find a running back. All throughout the weekend, they remained confident in this year’s class presenting a special opportunity because of how deep it was at the position.
They showed they meant it by waiting until Day 3 to do something about it when they drafted Jaydon Blue out of Texas. In the seventh round, they double-dipped by going with Clemson’s Phil Mafah.
Just like that, the Cowboys running back room was shaken up as Dallas added two rookies to the mix. The question, however, is obvious: How big of a role will either take on considering they’re late-round status and not exactly can’t miss prospects?
Well, according to Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer, they’re legitimate candidates to start.
“I would hope so,” Schottenheimer bluntly told reporters when asked if he thought they could start. “Otherwise we wouldn’t have drafted them.”
While that sounds like coach speak and nothing more, many coaches and execs would’ve explained how a late-round draft pick is also about depth and special teams while pointing toward them needing development. But with Schottenheimer’s comment, the message is clear: The door is open to battle for RB1.
Now granted, the Cowboys are likely to run a committee when it’s all said and done. But it wouldn’t be a shocker if Blue or Mafah quickly spearhead the group. Neither of the two seems to have the makings of a workhorse RB1 but the rookie’s games will complement each other, something the front office acknowledged on Saturday’s post-draft press conference.
On the one hand, Blue is a home run hitter specializing in big-play ability and as a receiver out of the backfield. He wins with his speed and explosiveness, which is largely what offensive coordinator Klayton Adams wants. But Mafah provides something Blue doesn’t: Physicality and power up the middle. Though not the fastest, the former Clemson Tiger punishes defenders down in and down out.
But there’s no question the Cowboys sound more excited about Blue than they do Mafah and that’s all because of his playmaking.
“At the end of the day, in the NFL you’re looking for explosive playmakers—and he’s an explosive playmaker,” Cowboys VP of player personnel Will McClay said. “You put him in the backfield behind what we’ve built on the line and with the other guys, and it gives you an opportunity to be explosive. (. . .), an explosive player who can flip the field for you on carries, can also win you some matchups in man-to-man coverage against linebackers (. . .) You’re getting an explosive playmaker; it’s just a different speed that he plays with.”
What is clear is Javonte Williams’ and Miles Sanders’ experience isn’t guaranteed to help them one bit. It’s a crowded RB room and there’s young blood to beat. Despite their status as veterans, the two running backs haven’t averaged over four yards per attempt since 2022. They’ll need their A-game to beat the draft picks.
“I think what we definitely did was improve the competition in that room,” Schottenheimer said. “Again, I would think that both Javonte and Miles will not be intimidated by these two guys. I think Jaydon and Phil will both come in, and they’ve got a big learning curve, but they’re the right type of guys who will pick the system up fast.”
