When it comes to the NFL, the phrase “next man up” isn’t just a cliché—it’s a way of life. Depth charts are fluid, injuries are inevitable, and roles are often defined not by a player’s draft position or reputation, but by timing, preparation, and opportunity. For Malik Davis, the 2025 offseason has brought the kind of opportunity that every fringe player hopes for and few truly get to seize.
Davis, the 26-year-old running back out of Florida, has patiently waited in the wings for his moment. After entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2022, Davis has spent the last few seasons grinding it out on the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad, carving out a niche as a reliable, if unspectacular, depth option behind a rotating cast of starters and backups. But as the Cowboys head into their 2025 training camp, a combination of roster turnover, injury concerns, and system changes has opened the door wide for Davis to finally make a name for himself—and possibly solidify a long-term role in Dallas’ backfield.
It’s not that Davis hasn’t shown flashes. He’s done everything asked of him since arriving in the league, often praised by coaches for his vision, patience, and readiness. During limited preseason snaps and occasional regular season cameos, he’s demonstrated solid burst through the hole and a willingness to pass-protect—an underrated trait that coaches trust deeply. But the Cowboys have been loaded with running back talent over the past few seasons, with names like Ezekiel Elliott, Tony Pollard, and Rico Dowdle consuming the lion’s share of carries.
Now, the dynamic has shifted.
With Tony Pollard’s departure in free agency and Rico Dowdle battling offseason injuries, the Cowboys find themselves in a transitional phase. They’ve yet to make a major splash at running back through free agency or the draft, at least not one that would close the door on Davis. And while there are whispers about Dallas potentially adding a veteran later in the offseason, the current roster composition suggests the competition at running back is as wide open as it’s been in years. That’s where Davis comes in.
The 2025 training camp represents a genuine audition for Davis—not just to make the 53-man roster, but to possibly enter the season with a meaningful role in the offense. For a player who’s spent the better part of three seasons fighting for practice reps, the chance to run with the first and second teams in camp is massive. And so far, by all early accounts, he’s approaching it like someone who knows the stakes.
“He’s locked in,” one team source said during OTAs. “You can tell he’s not just happy to be here anymore—he’s hungry to prove he belongs.”