Dallas faces a higher-stakes 2025 season as questions pile up on both sides of the ball. A lead backfield battle — Javonte Williams atop the depth chart with Miles Sanders and a rookie push — could shape early game plans for Dallas’ offense, while an injury-plagued offensive line tests Schottenheimer’s rotation and coaching acumen. The big swing in the story, though, is the secondary. PFF’s 31st-ranked pass defense entering 2025 signals a potential mismatch, even with Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland on the roster. Diggs’ knee rehab clouds Week 1 readiness, forcing others to step up quickly.

Dallas’ back-end depth is under the microscope: Diggs’ absence to start the year, Bland’s dip from previous All-Pro chatter, and the health of veterans Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson create a precarious safety net. Israel Mukuamu holds the nickel job, but rumors point to Kemon Hall or a youth infusion pressing for snaps. In this environment, the Cowboys must balance banged-up blockers with a vulnerable secondary, and ownership’s risk tolerance could decide how aggressively Dallas addresses it midseason.

In fantasy terms, the Cowboys’ 2025 arc boils down to three levers: health and usage of the backfield, line stability, and the ability of the secondary to stay above water when multiple pieces aren’t at peak. If Williams, Sanders, and the offensive line can anchor the run game, Schottenheimer’s plans can open through play-action and tempo. If not, Dallas may lean on a more conservative attack while the defense fights through early-season bumps, making depth charts and matchups crucial for weekly lineup decisions.

Dallas opened the preseason with another stumble, dropping 31-13 to Baltimore as their ground game again failed to deliver. Miles Sanders led the way with seven carries for 15 yards, while Tyler Booker’s highly anticipated debut couldn’t anchor the rushing attack. Deuce Vaughn and Phil Mafah combined for 8 carries and 18 yards, underscoring a multifaceted, but ineffective, Dallas backfield. The defense showed flashes, especially at linebacker, but interior stop-pieces like Mazi Smith and Jay Toia were slow at times, and the unit still yielded a near-150-yard Ravens ground day. On the flip side, the Dallas linebackers, particularly Shemar James and Damone Clark, were downhill and active, combining for 13 tackles with strong pursuit in space. James Houston and Tyrus Wheat also stood out, creating pressure and disruption. Joe Milton’s first-half performance remained a concern: eight attempts for 14 yards, check-steps slow, and ball placement inconsistent, with an interception that echoed earlier struggles. Milton’s effort and accountability on the sideline show resilience, but Dallas must still consider a more immediate backup option. Overall, the takeaway is clear: the Cowboys have bright spots but an unsettled depth chart, especially at RB and QB, heading into the preseason finale and beyond.

The Cowboys’ 2025 backfield depth chart remains one of the most intriguing storylines in training camp, even after OTA sessions and preseason action. Miles Sanders, Javonte Williams, Jaydon Blue, Deuce Vaughn, Hunter Luepke, Phil Mafah, and Malik Davis have all flashed in Oxnard, with Williams and Davis flashing on multiple occasions and Blue drawing standout attention from coaches and fans alike. Brian Schottenheimer’s measured praise for Javonte Williams — refusing to name a starter while signaling he’s “having a hell of a camp” — keeps the guessing game alive about who will lead Dallas’ ground game. If Sanders and Blue suit up in the second preseason game against Baltimore, evaluators will be watching for who takes control of the early-down work, pass-catching opportunities, and red-zone touches. The room’s versatility could yield a committee that leans toward a hot-hand approach, with Williams’ bruising style and Williams’ pass-catching upside offering different paths to fantasy value. For fantasy enthusiasts, the evolving depth chart means frequent re-evaluations, especially as health and matchup dynamics shift through August and into Week 1.

Malik Davis exploded onto the Cowboys’ summer scene in the preseason opener vs Rams, rushing seven times for 63 yards and delivering a 16-yard burst in the fourth. An undrafted Florida product who’s spent three seasons in Dallas, he seized a rare chance as Dallas’ backfield dealt with injuries, including rookie Jaydon Blue’s ankle issue and Miles Sanders’ knee treatment. Davis’s day wasn’t just about yardage; it showed a player who can blend familiarity with Schottenheimer’s system with quick, on-the-fly learning of new plays.

In roughly 36 hours, Davis became the Cowboys’ leading rusher, turning opportunity into momentum as the backfield remains wide open. He spoke of belonging and maximizing his chance, while Schottenheimer praised him, saying, “He had a hell of a day.” The episode underscored a real competition angle for fantasy managers: if the backfield continues to be unsettled by injuries, Davis could carve out meaningful role potential behind a shifting roster.