The Dallas Cowboys’ running backs offer a lot of intrigue this summer. We know who the starter will be, but the backup spots all feel up for grabs. One contender for a job is second-year back Phil Mafah. Our rundown series continues with the physical RB and his chances of making this year’s roster.
Background
Years in NFL: 1
Acquired by: 2025 7th-round pick
It was no secret that the Cowboys needed RB help from their 2025 draft class. The primary back in 2024 was Rico Dowdle, who’d turned his breakout year into
a free agent deal from the Panthers. Behind him was Ezekiel Elliott: a failed reunion that ended with Zeke being released before the end of the regular season. Dallas had pulled a couple of veteran free agents off the perceived scrap heap with Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. But there was valid concerns about both, leaving RB as a high draft priority.
To the surprise and chagrin of many, Dallas didn’t draft a RB until Day 3. They took Jaydon Blue with one of their fifth-round picks, and some might’ve assumed that would be it for the day. But later that afternoon, they also added Mafah to the mix. With Blue being a true speedster, Mafah was a nice alternative as power-based, bowling ball style of runner.
Over the summer, Williams emerged as the clear starter and left everyone else fighting for reserve duties. Mafah was doing well in that process, drawing good reports from camp and showing well in preseason games. But a shoulder injury led to Mafah being placed on IR just a day after final cuts. Dallas thought enough of the rookie to retain the option to bring him back during the season, but that didn’t happen until their Week 18 finale.
Would Mafah had made the 53 without the injury? It’s hard to say. Dallas was more invested in Jaydon Blue’s immediate development as the higher pick, and a better complement to Williams. But even after Miles Sanders went out with injury, Dallas elected to bring Malik Davis off the practice squad rather than activate Mafah. Whether it was health related or just to keep him stashed away for a year, Mafah ended up as a redshirt rookie.
Contract Status
Years Left: 3
2026 Cap Hit: $913k
Thanks to the IR provision, Mafah’s full rookie deal is still intact. He has three more years of inexpensive salary left as just a seventh-round pick, which the Cowboys will consider when making roster decisions. If Mafah can pull even with other backup prospects on the field, the contract could be a tiebreaker in his favor.
2026 Projections
Role: Backup RB
Roster Chance: 50%
Again, the RB depth chart feels pretty wide open after Javonte Williams. Malik Davis and Jaydon Blue are both on the smaller side and not workhorses, and it feels like they should be competing for the same job as a change-of-pace back. Mafah would seem the better complement to them and Williams to round out the room: a power back to take the dirty, short-yardage work when Williams is either gassed or otherwise unavailable.
But in addition to proving that he deserves a role, Mafah has to convince the coaches that he’s better suited for it than some other options. First and foremost is a guy who will probably already be on the 53, fullback Hunter Luepke. Known for his versatility, Luepke can handle some of those same carries. Dallas could see him as a sufficient short-yardage backup to Williams, even an emergency RB3, and focus on other uses for the roster spots.
Also, there are a couple of other RBs heading to camp. Israel Abanikanda joined Dallas’ practice squad late last November and is under contract for now. He was a fifth-round pick by the Jets in 2023 and is still just 23 years old. There’s also rookie Dominic Richardson, one of Dallas’ UDFAs from this year. Both are considered to have well-rounded games, with power elements, and could challenge for depth spots with strong camps.
With so many x-factors involved, that’s why we’re giving Phil Mafah a 50/50 shot at making the roster. There’s a great case for why he could make it, but plenty of reasons why he may not. He could be RB2, on the practice squad, or maybe not even with the Cowboys after final cuts. At the very least, hopefully his fate is decided by performance and not another injury.
Check out our previous player profiles from this series:
G Tyler Booker
S Alijah Clark
TE Jake Ferguson
LB Shemar James
G Trevor Keegan
FB Hunter Luepke
WR Jonathan Mingo
LS Trent Sieg
EDGE Tyrus Wheat
