I love the running game and Javonte Williams as the workhorse back, but Antonio Gibson gives Dallas a change-of-pace.
To me, Williams isn’t a problem at all. He gives Dallas a physical runner who can handle early-down work, finish through contact, and bring a toughness to the offense.
He’s not going to be the most athletic player on the field, but I don’t need him to be as long as he just keeps being dependable.
That’s why, when I look at the rest of the Cowboys’ running back room, I think Dallas needs one more piece. It has nothing to do with Javonte Williams and everything to with having a running back on the roster that complements him.
For me, that player could be Antonio Gibson.
The Cowboys Have Options Behind Javonte Williams
Dallas has other running backs on the roster with talent, but they haven’t shown much to add to the offense at this point.
Malik Davis is proven depth and the most likely backup. He knows the Cowboys offense and can help in a pinch, but does a defense have to change up when he enters the game?
Hunter Luepke has value because he’s one of those guys that is good at everything, great at nothing. As a fullback, he is not a true change-of -pace running back. He is more of a utility piece.
Jaydon Blue is the most exciting name in the room because of his speed. I also like Blue’s upside and think he gives Dallas a home run hitter the offense needs. However, he still has to prove he can handle a weekly NFL role. Something he failed to do last season.
Phil Mafah is another physical runner and I like what he can bring as a downhill back, but that is also why he doesn’t solve the problem. Mafah feels like depth behind Williams, not a change-of-pace complement.
Israel Abanikanda is interesting because he has speed. If Dallas wants an explosive back that’s already in the building, he has the skills to make a case. But he has to show he can be trusted with consistent touches.
Domonic Richardson gives Dallas another tough runner who can compete for a role, but as an undrafted free agent, it could be a long shot. He has the size to run through contact, but again, feels closer to the same lane as Javonte Williams.
Zach Switzer is more of a roster-development guy. He can compete in camp and try to carve out a role, but he is the longest of long shots even if he is Barry Switzer’s grandson.
The Cowboys have bodies, competition, and young backs worth watching, but I’m not sure they have the perfect complement to Javonte Williams on the roster.
Antonio Gibson Gives Dallas Something Different
The reason I like Antonio Gibson is pretty simple. He gives Dallas something different.
Javonte Williams is the bruiser, the guy running between the tackles, wearing down defenders, and helping the Cowboys stay ahead of the chains. Antonio Gibson would bring a spacing element to the offense.
I want the Cowboys to have a back who can motion out of the backfield, catch passes, run screens, and make linebackers uncomfortable.
Gibson has experience as a runner, receiver, and a returner option. That’s the kind of versatility I like to see and what Dallas should be looking for.
Too often, the Cowboys have built running back rooms where the players feel too similar. That’s how you end up with depth, but not variety.
Antonio Gibson would give them variety.
Why I Prefer Antonio Gibson Over Bigger Names
We all know there are bigger names sitting out there in free agency than Antonio Gibson.
Najee Harris, Nick Chubb, Joe Mixon, and Kareem Hunt get a lot of attention because fans know the names. Those guys have had good careers.
But the fit doesn’t feel right to me.
Those backs overlap too much with what Javonte Williams already does. They are more your downhill, physical runners. There’s nothing wrong with that, but Dallas already has that guy.
I don’t want the Cowboys to add a running back just because people will recognize his name. I want them to add a skill set they are missing.
That’s why I like Antonio Gibson. He stands out from the crowd and gives the offense a way to get the ball out into space while not requiring the Cowboys to completely change the running back rotation.
I would love this kind of move to stop running end arounds and screens to KaVontae Turpin. Instead, give it to a real running back and stretch the defense to the sidelines.
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