Underestimated Dallas Cowboys running back deserves an apology as he's likely to force some tough roster cuts after training camp

The Dallas Cowboys running back room is expected to be one of the worst in the NFL. Pro Football Focus recently ranked it 32nd in the league. They're being named trade candidates for any running back available.

It's expected to be a room with a low floor and low upside. But will it?

Underestimated Dallas Cowboys running back deserves an apology as he's likely to force some tough roster cuts after training camp

We'll find out once games are truly being played but there are some intriguing names at the position. As we count down the days until training camp in Oxnard, California, we're looking at every position on the team and predicting who's in and who's out.

We already looked at the Cowboys quarterbacks earlier in the month and now we turn to the running backs. Let's start with the players that make up the group.

The Cowboys running backs on the 90-man roster

Javonte Williams
Miles Sanders
Deuce Vaughn
Hunter Luepke (FB)
Jaydon Blue (rookie)
Phil Mafah (rookie)

What we heard from Cowboys OTAs, minicamp: We owe Miles Sanders an apology

At least I know I do. After the NFL Draft, I didn't include Sanders in my roster projection. My thought process was he would be the latest version of Royce Freeman and Ronald Jones. Vet running backs signed in free agency only to be cut before the season has been a theme for Dallas.

But it's becoming clear Dallas looks at Sanders differently. According to multiple reports, Sanders competed with Williams for starting reps at minicamp and OTAs.

And Sanders seems to have Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer's support, by the way.

"I don't know why anyone would be surprised by Miles' ability," Schottenheimer said early June. "Having been in the division and playing against Miles when he was in Philadelphia, you talk about a guy that's a home run threat, a guy that's got incredible ability to hurt you running, catching out of the backfield, all that stuff."

53-man roster spotlight: Potential tough cuts ahead, including Phil Mafah

Sanders' rise puts Deuce Vaughn in an awkward spot. Assuming Williams and Sanders are roster locks along with fifth-round rookie Jaydon Blue. The Cowboys are unlikely to carry more than four backs, including fullback Hunter Luepke.

Additionally, it means seventh-round rookie Phil Mafah is a longshot to make the team. The former Clemson Tiger provides a physical style of running the ball but it might not be enough to overtake some of his competitors.

Final prediction

IN: Javonte Williams, Jaydon Blue, Miles Sanders, Hunter Luepke (FB)
OUT: Deuce Vaughn, Phil Mafah

It's never fun to cut draft picks but the Cowboys might be forced to do so if they opt for keeping Sanders' experience. It's a numbers game and carrying over five backs is not easy to do.

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Nhung Nguyễn - 06/30/2025

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