Dallas Cowboys' Answer For RB2 Couldn't Be Clearer Entering Preseason Finale

The Dallas Cowboys are firing on all cylinders through the first two weeks of the NFL preseason, jumping out to a 2-0 start with two convincing victories.

It is the first time since 2007 that the Cowboys have started the preseason with a 2-0 record, which has sparked plenty of hype and excitement around the team. While there is a lot of positive buzz around the team, there are still several questions ahead of the preseason finale.

A handful of positional battles still need to sort themselves out, and that will be done when the team returns to Frisco.

One of the most intriguing battles is in the offensive backfield, with no clear-cut backup running back behind 2025 breakout star Javonte Williams. Second-year running back Jaydon Blue and Malik Davis are the front-runners for the job, and there is one player who stands out as exactly what the offense needs.

Malik Davis Deserves RB2 Opportunity

Dallas Cowboys running back Malik Davis celebrates a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Blue led the team in rushing yards with 75 against the Arizona Cardinals, but it was Davis who was the more efficient rusher.

Davis recorded 29 yards on just five carries, averaging 5.8 yards per run. He added an 8-yard touchdown catch. Davis is a player who always seems to make the right play for the team, while there have been concerns about Blue's consistency.

He also brings something that separates him from Blue: pass protection; something Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram noted following the team's 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?"

Dallas Cowboys running back Malik Davis celebrates his touchdown with guard Nick Leverett against the Arizona Cardinals | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Last season, Davis appeared in 10 games, carrying the ball 52 times for 250 yards and two touchdowns. He had a rushing success rate of 50 percent and averaged just under 4.8 yards per carry. Most importantly, he never fumbled the ball.

Blue, meanwhile, struggled to see action because of his inconsistency in practice and appeared in just five games. He recorded 129 yards on 38 carries and one touchdown, with a rush success rate of 36.8 percent. He also fumbled the ball once and has put the ball on the ground throughout training camp.

It's going to be interesting to see how the running back competition plays out over the next week, but if the offense values consistency, it should look no further than Davis to fill the role.

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