Dallas Cowboys DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

While with the Pittsburgh Steelers, opposing defenses often double-teamed wide receiver George Pickens or shaded a safety to his side. Now with the Dallas Cowboys, The Athletic's Ted Nguyen and Saad Yousuf think that teams will continue to double-team CeeDee Lamb, which will mean more one-on-one coverage for Pickens. The 24-year-old was dealt for a third-round pick because of his inconsistent effort on the field in Pittsburgh, but on paper, he's the perfect complement to Lamb as one of the league's best go-ball receivers that can really stretch a defense down the field. While his effort is lacking and Lamb will draw his fair share of targets, there's no denying that Pickens will be playing with the best QB of his career in Dak Prescott in an offense that should be pass-happy. If Pickens can stay healthy, he'll have a chance for a career year in 2025.

The Athletic's Jon Machota doesn't think Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Asim Richards will beat out Terence Steele for the starting right-tackle spot this year. The coaching staff is much higher on Steele than the fans are, and he'll get every opportunity to stick as the team's starting right tackle. Machota predicts the Cowboys' starting offensive line this year to be Tyler Guyton at left tackle, Tyler Smith at left guard, Cooper Beebe at center, rookie first-rounder Tyler Booker at right guard and Steele at right tackle. The 27-year-old Steele has spent all five of his NFL seasons with the Cowboys since entering the league as an undrafted free agent out of Texas Tech, and he's started all but five of his 79 games played in the NFL with Dallas.

The Athletic's Jon Machota writes that he thinks Dallas Cowboys running backs Javonte Williams, Jaydon Blue, Miles Sanders and Phil Mafah will end up getting almost all of the backfield work for the team in 2025. Machota sees Williams being the leader early in the season, but eventually the rookie Blue will get more carries and lead the team in rushing. Machota thinks that by the end of the year, Blue, a fifth-round pick this year, will be their No. 1 RB. The 21-year-old Texas product is staying in state and will bring much-needed speed to Dallas' backfield this year. The 5-foot-9, 196-pounder isn't all that big, but he should complement the power of both Williams and Sanders well and provide a nice change-of-pace option with some pass-catching upside. Volume will certainly be a concern early on in Blue's rookie season, but he's not a bad late-round sleeper target for fantasy managers that wait at the position.

The Dallas Cowboys have signed seventh-round rookie running back Phil Mafah to a four-year, $4.31 million deal, per the team's transaction log. Mafah spent his entire college career at Clemson, garnering seven starts over his first three seasons before starting in all 14 games in 2024. He broke out last year, rushing for 1,115 yards and eight touchdowns across 216 carries (5.2 YPC). The 22-year-old wasn't much of a receiver over his first two campaigns, but he caught 21 balls in each of his junior and senior seasons, though he did not score any TDs there. Like his fellow rookie rusher Jaydon Blue, Mafah will have the opportunity to crack Dallas' backfield due to the lack of competition in front of him. This RB room will be one to watch throughout the months leading up to the NFL season.

Per the team's transaction log, the Dallas Cowboys have signed fifth-round rookie running back Jaydon Blue to a four-year, $4.62 million contract. The 21-year-old played second fiddle to teammate Quintrevion Wisner for the Texas Longhorns and is smaller in stature (5-foot-9) but has speed for days (4.38 40-yard dash). Blue has the odds stacked against him for playing time -- considering his draft capital -- but it isn't unheard of for late-round selections to make a splash in the league. Furthermore, the talent (or lack thereof) in front of him in Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams doesn't pose much of a threat in the way of competition. He'll undoubtedly have an opportunity to make his way to the field, but it won't be good for his prospects if he can't beat out the aforementioned veterans for playing time.