Is 2026 the Time to Buy Stock on the Cowboys 22-Year-Old Running Back?
Javonte Williams carried the run game for the Dallas Cowboys in 2025. Signing a short one-year prove-it contract, Williams was able to prove why Dallas should re-sign him, ultimately earning a three-year deal this offseason. The only issue was that Dallas' physical runner would have no true partner in crime to help him in the backfield. Many expected then-Texas rookie Jaydon Blue, arguably one of their most important draft picks, to fill the backup spot. Despite the belief, questions about maturity were a concern, decreasing his chance to play on the field. However, entering 2026 OTAs for the Cowboys, the narrative has changed for Blue. With reports of him being more mature and ready to play his role, is 2026 the year to buy stock in Blue?
Last year, the Cowboys' elusive playmaker had limited opportunities to play, but he played well in the one game he got the chance to start. In a Cowboys 34-17 loss to the Giants, the former Texas Longhorn speed merchant had 64 rushing yards on 16 carries and his first career touchdown in the NFL. Granted, Dallas was already eliminated from playoff contention, but it was able to show that Dallas' open-field nightmare could be a bell cow running back and even a solid backup in moments like his 27-yard run, his longest of the game. Despite the few opportunities he had all season, he made it work in the one game he got to show his skill set.
The reason 2026 could be a year to invest in Blue's stock is that he now has something he lacked in his rookie season, and that is the trust of the coaching staff. As mentioned before, the question for Blue was never whether he was ready to play, but rather if he was mature enough to be a pro, which he has now been able to show during this offseason. The Dallas backfield is missing a player who can complement the strengths of Williams's game, which can be defined as a change of pace, and that is the style of play Blue thrives in. While his stock is low entering the 2026 season, there is no better time to buy it than now. All that remains is for Blue to showcase his abilities on Sundays, proving the Dallas coaching staff right in the newfound trust he has earned.
