As the Dallas Cowboys gear up for training camp in Oxnard, California, their running back room is under intense scrutiny, pegged as one of the NFL’s weakest by Pro Football Focus, ranking a dismal 32nd in the league. With a reputation for a low floor and limited upside, the group has been labeled a potential liability. Yet, as the countdown to the season continues, one underrated running back is poised to turn heads and force the front office to rethink their initial doubts. The looming roster cuts promise to be brutal, with tough decisions looming for a team desperate to reshape its backfield.
The Current Running Back Landscape
The Cowboys’ 90-man roster features a mix of veterans, rookies, and a fullback, all vying for a spot on the final 53-man roster. The running back group includes:
Javonte Williams: A powerful runner expected to lead the backfield.
Miles Sanders: A veteran free agent signing who’s turning heads in OTAs and minicamp.
Deuce Vaughn: A fan-favorite but undersized back struggling to secure a role.
Hunter Luepke (FB): The team’s fullback, a likely lock for his versatility.
Jaydon Blue (rookie): A fifth-round pick bringing fresh legs and potential.
Phil Mafah (rookie): A seventh-rounder whose physical style may not be enough to earn a spot.
With only four running back spots (including the fullback) likely available, competition is fierce, and the Cowboys’ front office faces a numbers game that could lead to surprising cuts.
Miles Sanders: The Underrated Game-Changer
Initially overlooked by analysts and even left off some early roster projections, Miles Sanders is emerging as the dark horse of the Cowboys’ backfield. After signing as a free agent, Sanders was seen by some as a potential camp casualty, akin to past veterans like Royce Freeman and Ronald Jones, who were signed only to be cut before the season. However, Sanders is proving he’s far more than a placeholder.
During OTAs and minicamp, Sanders competed directly with Javonte Williams for starting reps, showcasing the explosive playmaking ability that made him a standout with the Philadelphia Eagles. Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer has been vocal in his support, emphasizing Sanders’ versatility. “I don’t know why anyone would be surprised by Miles’ ability,” Schottenheimer said in 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.”
Sanders’ resurgence is a reminder of his 2020 Pro Bowl season with the Eagles, where he racked up 867 rushing yards and six touchdowns while averaging 5.3 yards per carry. His ability to break big plays and contribute as a receiver out of the backfield makes him a dynamic weapon in Dallas’ offense. If Sanders continues to impress in training camp, he could force the front office to regret ever doubting his value.
The Roster Crunch and Tough Cuts Ahead
With Sanders rising, the Cowboys face difficult decisions as they trim their roster. Javonte Williams is a near-certain lock as the lead back, and fifth-round rookie Jaydon Blue’s draft status gives him an edge. Hunter Luepke’s role as a fullback secures his spot, leaving limited room for others. This puts fan-favorite Deuce Vaughn and seventh-round rookie Phil Mafah on the chopping block.
Cowboys RB Miles Sanders got a few more opportunities with the first-team unit today.
It’s been Sanders and Javonte Williams getting the chances with the ones in mandatory minicamp. pic.twitter.com/vE6meLYxBI
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) June 11, 2025
Vaughn, a 2023 sixth-round pick, has struggled to carve out a role. At 5’5” and 179 pounds, his undersized frame limits his every-down potential, and Sanders’ emergence further jeopardizes his chances. Meanwhile, Phil Mafah, a physical runner from Clemson, brings a bruising style but may lack the versatility to overtake his competitors. Cutting draft picks is never easy, but the numbers game makes it likely that both Vaughn and Mafah will be left off the final 53-man roster.
Final Roster Prediction
Based on current reports and performances, the Cowboys’ running back room is likely to shape up as follows:
IN:
Javonte Williams
Miles Sanders
Jaydon Blue
Hunter Luepke (FB)
OUT:
Deuce Vaughn
Phil Mafah
Why Sanders Could Be the X-Factor
Miles Sanders’ ability to prove the doubters wrong could redefine the Cowboys’ running back room. His combination of speed, vision, and pass-catching ability adds a dimension that the team has lacked in recent years. If he continues to build chemistry with quarterback Dak Prescott and capitalize on his opportunities in training camp, Sanders could elevate the backfield from a perceived weakness to a surprising strength.
The Cowboys’ front office may have underestimated Sanders, but his performance is forcing a reevaluation. As roster cuts approach, the decision to keep Sanders over younger prospects like Vaughn or Mafah will be contentious but necessary. The running back room may have been ranked 32nd in the league, but with Sanders leading the charge, it’s poised to exceed expectations and make the doubters eat their words.
As training camp unfolds, all eyes will be on Sanders to see if he can cement his role as the Cowboys’ secret weapon. The roster cuts will be brutal, but they’ll reveal whether this underrated running back can truly make the front office regret ever doubting him.