The NFL season is quickly approaching, and fantasy drafts are in full swing. At DraftKings, you can play an array of different season-long fantasy contests.
This is a look at the fantasy value of all the players in the Dallas Cowboys’ backfield.
Dallas Cowboys Backfield
The Cowboys are looking for a bounce-back season with Dak Prescott healthy again. Once Prescott went down with a season-ending injury last season, the season was effectively over, but they did show some good fight down the stretch. CeeDee Lamb will always be the superstar of this offense, but they made some moves to add to the offensive talent. They acquired George Pickens from the Steelers to make him the WR2 across from Lamb. However, in the running back room is where the Cowboys made their biggest changes. Their 1,000-yard rusher from last season, Rico Dowdle, is now with the Panthers. Meanwhile, backup running back Ezekiel Elliott is unsigned, and his NFL career could be over.
Dallas signed former Bronco Javonte Williams to a one-year contract to be the main man in the backfield. Meanwhile, the Cowboys also brought in veteran running back Miles Sanders after he spent the last two years with the Panthers. In addition to those two signings, they drafted two running backs, Jaydon Blue out of Texas in the fifth round and Phil Mafah out of Clemson in the seventh round. In addition to Deuce Vaughn, who was drafted by Dallas in 2024, this is a crowded running back room where everyone is fighting to be the RB2 behind Williams.
Last season, Williams had a nearly equal split of carries with Jaleel McLaughlin in Denver, with Audric Estime getting a decent chunk of touches as well. It could be another committee-style season for the Cowboys, making the handcuff choice very important. Williams is the sure thing for Dallas, so he will likely be the guy to start the season. However, it seems as if Sanders might be the odd man out. He managed to play only 11 games and rush for 205 yards last season. The Cowboys are one of the only teams in the NFL that carry a fullback, Hunter Luepke. That means they are likely to keep just three running backs on their final roster. Those three backs are likely to be Williams, Blue and Mafah.
Running Back Handcuff: Jaydon Blue or Phil Mafah
If the Cowboys decide to roll with these three players in their backfield, that puts the rookies in competition for the RB2 job. Blue was drafted two rounds higher than Mafah, indicating that he is more valuable and has a higher upside. However, Mafah has gotten a significant leg up during the preseason due to Blue’s injury. Blue has missed the team’s first two preseason games due to a minor heel injury. The team is not going to risk making the injury worse, so he has yet to see any preseason action. Meanwhile, Mafah got the most carries of any Cowboy in their most recent preseason game.
Blue does have a real chance to play in the preseason finale and is expected to be ready for Week 1. If he is healthy, he should start the season in the RB2 role, despite missing time this summer. Blue is a serious threat in the receiving game, which could make him the ideal RB2. He can be utilized as a third-down back and serve as a dangerous receiver out of the backfield for an offense that prefers to throw the football. Even with Prescott out most of last season, the Cowboys ranked sixth in the NFL in pass-play percentage. In an offense that is going to be that pass-heavy, Blue will be valuable and could be a productive fantasy option. If he proves himself to be an NFL-caliber starting running back, he could also take the RB1 role starting next season due to Williams being on a one-year contract. That makes him even more valuable in dynasty and keeper leagues, and the clear handcuff choice for Williams owners.
