As Javonte Williams cements his RB1 status, Dallas continues scouting backfield depth by hosting Deon Jackson, the UFL’s top rusher, for a high-stakes workout at The Star.
FRISCO - Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams experienced a career year in 2025, his first season with head coach Brian Schottenheimer.
The former Broncos standout Williams was a shining light on offense and finished with 1,201 yards and 11 TDs as the Cowboys had a top-10 run game in 2025.
Williams' reward? The Cowboys made him one of their first re-signings of the offseason, putting pen to paper on a three-year, $24 million deal with $16 million guaranteed.
Meanwhile, the team feels good about the stable of backs behind him, with Texas Longhorns product Jaydon Blue contending for the No. 2 job as he enters his second NFL season, along with Malik Davis and Phil Mafah also in play for snaps.
Nevertheless, the business of NFL personnel is a 24/7 job, as they like to say, so here comes news about another running back tryout here inside The Star.
Last week, it was former Raiders back Zamir White who was given a workout.
This time around? It's Deon Jackson, a running back trying to make the leap from the UFL back into the big leagues.
Jackson (5-11, 218) is a Duke product who went undrafted in 2021 but who became a 2022 part-time starter with the Indianapolis Colts.
That year, he played 16 games with two starts in 2022, and gained 236 yards rushing on 68 carries, with 30 receptions for 209 yards, with a total of two TDs. He started a one game in 2023 as well, and later had cups of coffee with the Browns and Giants.
This year in the UFL, Jackson, 27, averaged 4.9 yards per carry over 10 games, totaling 449 yards and 10 touchdowns for the DC Defenders, becoming the league's leading rusher and TD scorer.
Having said all of that ...
In the end, we assume the Cowboys are mostly just "kicking the tires'' on running backs. ... though those credentials are notable. (There may be something more intense going on in search for backup linebacker help, as ex-Bears practice-squad and now-UFL'er Micah Baskerville also worked out.)
And why?
Mostly because of Javonte.
For a player who came into the 2025 season with his future uncertain after poor form and injuries, Williams put on a show, and now that he has some security, he's ready to prove that last season wasn't a one-hit wonder.
"Felt good just knowing that all my hard work finally paid off and I got like a little bit of security," Williams said. "But I still got a lot more to prove, I at least want to go to the Pro Bowl or something and definitely get a Super Bowl with the team.
'But I mean just working hard, grinding, and trying to be a better version of myself. That's all I'm worried about."
We know that running backs generally have a short shelf life in the NFL, so Williams will want to strike while the iron is hot, and in Dallas' offense, there should be ample chances for him to improve on what he produced in 2025.
Of course, if Javonte hits 1,200 yards and 11 TDs again, Dallas will be in a great spot with its run game.
"Just to build on last year," he said of his overall goal. "Try to be a better version of myself than I was last year. Stay healthy throughout the whole season, and just win games."
