The Dallas Cowboys’ rushing attack has been a sore spot for too long. Last offseason, the team’s lack of urgency in addressing their backfield left them leaning on an aging Ezekiel Elliott and an unproven Rico Dowdle after Tony Pollard’s departure in free agency. The results? A lackluster ground game that failed to strike fear into opposing defenses. Dowdle showed flashes of promise, posting solid individual numbers before signing with Carolina, but the Cowboys’ run game remained a glaring weakness.
Fast forward to 2025, and Dallas has taken bold steps to revamp their backfield. The front office didn’t sit on their hands this time, signing free agents Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams while drafting Phil Mafah and Jaydon Blue in April. On paper, this quartet should provide the depth and versatility needed to establish a formidable rushing attack. Sanders, a 2022 Pro Bowler, and Williams, a former All-Rookie standout, bring pedigree, while Mafah and Blue inject youthful potential. Yet, questions linger: can this group deliver a true No. 1 back capable of carrying the load?
Enter the intriguing possibility of a blockbuster trade. Daniel Arwas of Heavy.com recently floated an audacious idea: the Cowboys should target Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams, a dynamic yet underutilized talent who could be the missing piece in Dallas’ backfield puzzle. Arwas points out that Sanders and Williams (Javonte, not Kyren) combined for a measly 800 yards in 2024, despite their impressive resumes. “Running back is, unfortunately for the pair, a young man’s game,” Arwas writes, “and Kyren Williams certainly still has his youth.”
At just 25 years old, Kyren Williams is a tantalizing prospect. His explosive playmaking and ability to handle a heavy workload make him a potential game-changer. In Los Angeles, he’s been overshadowed by the Rams’ crowded backfield, but his skill set—elusiveness, vision, and pass-catching prowess—could thrive in Dallas’ offensive scheme. However, prying him away from the Rams won’t be easy. With their current starter’s high usage rate, Los Angeles relies on Williams as a critical insurance policy. An injury could thrust him into a starring role, making the Rams hesitant to part with their hidden gem.
The Cowboys’ current stable of backs offers promise but no guarantees. Sanders and Williams (Javonte) have yet to prove they can reclaim their rookie-year magic, while Mafah and Blue, despite their potential, weren’t top-tier draft prospects. Training camp will be a proving ground, but if Dallas can’t identify a clear RB1, the pressure will mount on both the front office and coaching staff to make a splash.
A trade for Kyren Williams would be a bold statement, signaling the Cowboys’ refusal to settle for mediocrity in their ground game. However, it’s a high-stakes gamble. Adding another back could intensify competition and spark a breakout performer—or it could disrupt the chemistry of an already crowded backfield. For now, Dallas seems confident that at least two of their current options will emerge as reliable, week-in, week-out contributors.
As training camp looms, the Cowboys aren’t in panic mode just yet. With Sanders, Williams, Mafah, and Blue in the fold, they have the pieces to build a potent rushing attack. But if the right opportunity arises, don’t be surprised if Dallas makes a play for Kyren Williams—a move that could transform their backfield from a question mark into a strength. For now, all eyes are on camp, where the Cowboys will determine whether their offseason overhaul was enough… or if a stunning trade is the final piece of the puzzle.