Cowboys have dark-horse candidate for starting running back spot

Miles Sanders signed with the Dallas Cowboys during 2025 NFL free agency and could be emerging as the man to watch for the starting running back job after impressing through mandatory minicamp.

Dallas Cowboys running back Miles Sanders goes through a drill during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. | Chris Jones-Imagn Images

There’s no other way to put it than to say the Dallas Cowboys were dreadful on the ground in 2024.

Rico Dowdle had a breakout season with 1,079 yards rushing, but they still finished just 27th in the league with 1,705 yards as a team. In an effort to fix this weak spot, the Cowboys made several moves at the position.

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While they lost Dowdle in free agency, they signed Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. They then selected Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah in the 2025 NFL draft, seemingly putting Sanders on the roster bubble.

However, Sanders has been doing everything in his power to prove he belongs on the roster. He stood out during OTAs and picked up where he left off at mandatory minicamp. He’s even been getting reps with the starting team.

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

Sanders, who struggled over the past two seasons with Carolina, was once the featured back for the Philadelphia Eagles. He racked up 1,259 yards and 11 touchdowns for them in 2022 and is eager to prove he can rebound with the change of scenery.

Dallas would love to see someone such as Blue prove worthy of a starting role, especially given his breakaway speed. That said, having more capable starters is the exact problem they want after last season.

Dallas Cowboys running back Miles Sanders goes through a drill during practice at the Ford Center at the Star | Chris Jones-Imagn Images

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