The Dallas Cowboys may have already found the player they need to complete their backfield, with Jaydon Blue entering 2026 as a strong candidate for a bigger role. 

Dallas is hoping Blue can win the backup running back job and provide a different skill set alongside starter Javonte Williams, with the coaching staff viewing him as a strong fit for the RB2 role.

“My money is on Jaydon Blue," Mickey Spagnola wrote, "And my guess is the second year back from Texas is the guy the Cowboys are hoping emerges as RB2."

According to Spagnola’s July 2, 2026 column, “No. 19 Who will emerge as Running Back 2?” Blue is the player he expects to emerge from the competition, with his 4.28 speed to contribute as both a runner and receiver, standing out as key factors.

"Blue would be the perfect complementary back to workhorse Javonte Williams, a great change of pace back versatile not only as a ball carrier but also as a receiver out of the backfield who could, by the way, line up in the slot," the analyst further wrote.

Blue enters the RB2 competition after a limited start to his Cowboys career. The fifth-round pick from the Texas Longhorns in 2025 appeared in only five games during his rookie season.

But he ended the year with 38 carries for 129 rushing yards and one touchdown in his rookie season.

With the Cowboys not bringing in another veteran running back or adding competition through the draft, Blue now has a bigger opportunity to prove he can handle the RB2 role. 

Dallas brought back Javonte Williams on a three-year deal, but left the RB2 competition open between Blue, Malik Davis, and Phil Mafah. 

Meanwhile, Blue's rookie struggles helped him understand what he needed to improve. 

Jaydon Blue looks for a bigger role after learning from 2025

As reported by Jon Machota of The Athletic, Blue talked about his rookie struggles and explained how the experience has helped him prepare for a bigger role in 2026. 

“I didn’t start off like I should have,” Blue said. “Maybe if it was not practicing the right way or just on a maturity level, I think I wasn’t really there. But just learning from all the vets, having the offseason that I’ve had, I think I’m ready to go."

Williams finished last season with 252 carries, the 10th-most in the league. So, Dallas plans to lighten his workload in hopes of preserving him for the latter part of the season.

Meanwhile, Blue has accepted the areas where he needs improvement and believes those changes can help him stay on the field more in 2026. 

“Just looking back on the things I didn’t do too well, taking the stuff my coaches were saying and making sure I apply them," he added.

If Blue can turn his improvements into production, he could secure the RB2 role and give the Cowboys a different option behind Williams in 2026. 

Do you think Jaydon Blue can earn the Cowboys’ RB2 role in 2026? Share your thoughts in the comments. 

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Written by

Divyanshi Raj

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar