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2026 NFL backfield

Dallas Cowboys running backs

The current roster, the published replacement plan and the production behind each player’s role.

The published backfield plan

Published starter

Javonte Williams

Preferred handcuff

Emari Demercado

Demercado is the eligible next option; an Abanikanda elevation could split work.

Committee uncertainty: an absence could spread work across several backs.

View Javonte Williams’s handcuff breakdown

Week 1 analysis published .

How the work could change

Dallas reported Sept. 11 that RB2 Malik Davis needs hip surgery and will go to season-ending IR. The same report says Dallas will likely turn to Demercado and possibly practice-squad back Israel Abanikanda. Dallas' Sept. 1 transaction feature says Demercado joined the active 53 and sat directly behind Davis. That makes Demercado the best eligible lead-replacement candidate after Davis is corrected out, though a committee remains likely.

Davis' season-ending hip injury changes the room. Demercado is already on the active 53 and Dallas identifies him as the likely next option, with a possible Abanikanda elevation creating committee risk.

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  • recent-acquisition

The full backfield depth chart

Every running back and fullback assigned to Dallas Cowboys, including reserve and practice-squad entries. Chart order and replacement opportunity answer different questions: a passing-down specialist can sit ahead of the back most likely to inherit the carries.

Source: nflverse depth-chart feed · Feed dated Thu, Sep 10, 8:01 AM EDT. Equal ranks are ties. Unlisted backs are not assigned an invented rank. FB ranks are separate from RB ranks.

Dallas Cowboys full running back depth chart
Feed orderPlayerScouting roleDraft investmentRoster status
RB1
Javonte WilliamsPublished starter		Three-down back2021 · Round 2 · Pick 35active
RB2
Malik Davis		Change-of-pace backUndraftedactive
RB3
Emari DemercadoPublished handcuff		Change-of-pace backDraft history unavailableactive
FB1
Hunter Luepke		FullbackUndraftedactive
Unlisted
Israel Abanikanda		Role under review2023 · Round 5 · Pick 143practice squad

Every back: role, upside and obstacles

The player assessments below explain the skills that could earn work and the assignments that might go to someone else. Role labels describe scouting assessments; they are not confirmed snap shares. “Three-down” means a skill set for rushing and passing situations, not a guarantee of every down.

RB1 · Three-down back

Javonte Williams

Age 26 · 6 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Capable in saved assessmentPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Dallas' clear RB1 on a new three-year deal after a 1,200-yard rebound season. Runs, catches and protects, but the team has signalled it wants to trim his 287-touch workload, so expect a lighter but still lead-back share.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

He is the starter in the dated board above. For fantasy purposes, the question is how much of the rushing and passing work he keeps when the whole room is available.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A starter can still lose third downs, short-yardage work or change-of-pace touches to specialists. His role assessment describes the skill set, not a guarantee that every assignment stays with him.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

2021 · Round 2 · Pick 35

Drafted by DEN; not necessarily his current team.

Early-round investment is part of his prospect pedigree and may support a chance to develop. It does not guarantee the next workload, especially after a team change.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2025, his 16 recorded games include 252 carries and 35 receptions on 51 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

RB2 · Change-of-pace back

Malik Davis

Age 27 · 3 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Familiar depth back who survived cutdowns as Williams' No. 2. Adequate for a committee week or two but has never handled real volume; Dallas would likely add a body rather than hand him a lead role.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

His path begins with an opening behind Javonte Williams. The dated board currently prefers Emari Demercado for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.

Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: Javonte Williams. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A change-of-pace role can create useful touches in a limited package. It does not automatically transfer to the starter’s workload; another back may fit the early-down or short-yardage assignment better.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

Undrafted

He entered without draft investment. That says how he arrived, not what he can become; current usage and coaching trust carry more weight now.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2025, his 10 recorded games include 52 carries and 2 receptions on 5 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

RB3 · Change-of-pace back

Emari Demercado

Age 27 · 4 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Waiver claim who reunites with OC Klayton Adams from Arizona and knows the scheme. Reliable in protection and on third down, but a complementary piece — not the answer for 15+ carries if Williams missed time.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

The dated board selects him as the preferred replacement behind Javonte Williams. That is a projection of the replacement role, not a promise that he gets every touch.

Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: Javonte Williams, Malik Davis. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A change-of-pace role can create useful touches in a limited package. It does not automatically transfer to the starter’s workload; another back may fit the early-down or short-yardage assignment better.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

Draft history unavailable

A verified draft record is not available here. Missing data does not mean he went undrafted.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2025, his 12 recorded games include 44 carries and 13 receptions on 20 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

FB1 · Fullback

Hunter Luepke

Age 26 · 4 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Lead-blocking fullback and special-teams core player who occasionally gets a short-yardage touch. Not part of the running back rotation in any meaningful way.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

His path begins with an opening behind Javonte Williams. The dated board currently prefers Emari Demercado for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A fullback’s place on the chart represents a different assignment from the running-back queue. Blocking or situational touches do not make him the next lead runner when an RB is absent.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

Undrafted

He entered without draft investment. That says how he arrived, not what he can become; current usage and coaching trust carry more weight now.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2025, his 14 recorded games include 16 carries and 13 receptions on 15 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

Unlisted · Role under review

Israel Abanikanda

Age 23 · 3 years of NFL experience · practice squad

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established

Israel Abanikanda is a third-year player listed by DAL at RB, from Pittsburgh. The official roster lists him at 5-10 and 217 pounds.

Research checked Fri, Sep 11, 12:01 PM EDT. Undated biographies support background facts, not a current workload promise.

Path to more work

A practice-squad place keeps him available for development and possible elevation. Any offensive work would depend on an active-roster opening and a team decision to use him in the backfield.

Why the work could go elsewhere

The official roster verifies his current reserve placement and basic background but does not establish backfield rank, pass protection, a three-down role or a projected touch share.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

2023 · Round 5 · Pick 143

Drafted by NYJ; not necessarily his current team.

A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

No recorded NFL regular-season production is available in the two seasons shown. That is an evidence gap, not a zero or a judgment of his ability.

His roster feed status is practice squad. He needs the relevant roster or availability change before this becomes an immediate pickup opportunity.

Player research sources

The production behind the names

2025 regular season. Recorded production, not a projection. A missing stat line is not a zero.

Player comparison for the 2025 regular season
PlayerGames with statsCarriesReceptionsTotal yardsPPR / game
Javonte Williams
1625235133815.2
Emari Demercado
1244134134.9
Hunter Luepke
1416131802.6
Israel Abanikanda
—————
Malik Davis
105222664.1
Javonte Williams: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2025

Wk 1222 touches
Wk 1320 touches
Wk 1419 touches
Wk 1515 touches
Wk 1611 touches
Wk 1713 touches
Emari Demercado: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2025

Wk 107 touches
Wk 117 touches
Wk 153 touches
Wk 165 touches
Wk 177 touches
Wk 183 touches
Hunter Luepke: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2025

Wk 121 touches
Wk 140 touches
Wk 155 touches
Wk 162 touches
Wk 178 touches
Wk 183 touches
Malik Davis: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2025

Wk 123 touches
Wk 133 touches
Wk 143 touches
Wk 1510 touches
Wk 168 touches
Wk 1720 touches

Totals include all teams played for that season. Per-game averages use games with recorded stats. Source: nflverse player statistics.

Evidence behind the backfield analysis

Compare your next bench move

A handcuff is an opportunity to hold, not a projected starter for this week. Compare the room with other teams, then choose a game window that fits your league’s rules.

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