The Cowboys have opened the preseason with a 2-0 mark, and that alone has put some extra shine on what’s happening in Dallas. It’s the first time since 2007 that they’ve started the exhibition slate this way, and the early results have created plenty of buzz. Even so, the job isn’t finished yet, and a few roster questions still need to be settled before the team heads back to Frisco.
One of the biggest decisions left is at running back, where the backup spot behind 2025 breakout star Javonte Williams still doesn’t have a definitive answer. Second-year back Jaydon Blue and Malik Davis are the main contenders, but the way things have unfolded so far makes Davis look like the cleaner fit for what the offense needs.
Against the Arizona Cardinals, Blue finished with a team-high 75 rushing yards, but Davis was the more efficient runner. He picked up 29 yards on five carries, good for 5.8 yards per attempt, and also caught an 8-yard touchdown pass. Davis has a habit of doing the little things the right way, while Blue has drawn concern for his inconsistency.
Pass protection is another area where Davis separates himself, and Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram pointed that out after the Week 2 preseason win.
"So, in 15 plays, we've seen Cowboys [running back] Malik Davis run for 29 yards on five carries, pick up a blitz in pass protection, and haul in an eight-yard TD reception on a third down in the red zone," he wrote. "Sounds like an RB2 to me?"
Davis also has a steadier track record from last season. He played in 10 games, ran 52 times for 250 yards and two touchdowns, posted a 50 percent rushing success rate, and averaged just under 4.8 yards per carry. He also did not fumble once.
Blue’s résumé tells a different story. He was limited to five games because of inconsistency in practice, and his production never quite matched the promise.
He ran for 129 yards on 38 carries and scored once, with a rushing success rate of 36.8 percent. He also lost a fumble and has put the ball on the ground during training camp.
The competition still has a week to play out, but if Dallas wants reliability, Davis is making a strong case to be the next man up behind Williams.
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