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.”
Davis’s story is one that resonates with anyone who’s ever had to grind for a shot. A standout at Florida, he finished his college career with over 2,000 total yards, showing a mix of elusiveness and grit. But injury concerns and a crowded 2022 draft class saw him fall through the cracks, and he landed in Dallas without much fanfare. Still, he didn’t sulk. Instead, he embraced the opportunity.
“I’ve always believed that if you put your head down and work, eventually your time will come,” Davis said last season. “I just try to stay ready. That’s all I can control.”
That mentality has endeared him to both teammates and coaches, especially running backs coach Jeff Blasko, who’s spoken openly about Davis’s professionalism and attention to detail. “Malik’s a guy who studies like a starter,” Blasko said during minicamp interviews. “He knows the playbook inside and out, he picks up blitzes, and he finishes runs. You never have to question his effort or focus.”
While Davis’s numbers on paper don’t jump off the screen—just 38 career carries for 161 yards in regular season action—what matters more to the Cowboys coaching staff is what he does when given a stretch of consistent reps. In practices and scrimmages, Davis’s decisiveness and ability to read blocks have stood out. He’s not the most explosive back on the roster, but he’s efficient, rarely loses yards, and understands situational football. That might be enough for a team that values ball control and discipline under head coach Mike McCarthy.
Another factor working in Davis’s favor is the evolving identity of the Cowboys offense. With new offensive coordinator Liam Coen coming over from Kentucky, there’s a renewed emphasis on versatility and using the running backs creatively. That could benefit a player like Davis, who has soft hands out of the backfield and can line up in multiple formations.
“He’s not just a runner,” said Coen after an early walkthrough. “He can catch, he can protect, and he processes quickly. That’s the kind of guy who can earn playing time.”
Of course, training camp is only the beginning. Davis will have to stack strong performances week after week, especially with younger backs and possible free agent additions pushing for the same limited snaps. Every preseason game will feel like an audition, not just for the Cowboys, but for the rest of the league. In the NFL, every rep is tape—and every tape is a resume.
But Davis doesn’t seem fazed. In interviews, he projects a calm confidence, the demeanor of someone who knows how fragile and fleeting opportunity can be.
“There are a lot of great backs in this league that never really get their shot,” Davis said. “So when you get that chance, you can’t waste it. You’ve got to be ready to take it and run with it—literally.”
The Cowboys front office is watching closely too. While the team has been linked to several veteran backs in free agency, they’ve made no sudden moves, perhaps signaling a willingness to let this competition play out organically. That’s a testament to Davis’s growth and the confidence the organization has in his development.
“I wouldn’t count him out,” one scout said during a recent media availability. “He might not be the flashiest guy, but he does everything right. And sometimes, that’s the kind of player who lasts in this league.”
What’s next for Davis will depend on how he performs when the lights come on. Practice habits matter, but it’s the preseason games—when defenders aren’t pulling up and the stakes feel real—that truly reveal whether a player can make the leap. Davis knows this, and he’s approaching camp with the mindset of a man on a mission.
“I’m not worried about the depth chart, I’m not worried about who they might bring in,” he said. “I’m just focused on being the best version of me every single day. If I do that, everything else will take care of itself.”
In the end, the NFL is a meritocracy, however brutal and unforgiving it may be. Players like Malik Davis don’t often get the luxury of multiple chances. But when preparation meets opportunity, magic can happen. Davis has waited long enough. Now, with the door cracked open, it’s up to him to kick it wide.
This 2025 training camp could be the turning point—not just for his role on the Cowboys, but for his entire career. And if he rises to the occasion, Malik Davis might not be the next man up for long.
He might just be the man.