Patrik Walker of the Cowboys website asked OC Klayton Adams about the RB competition behind starter Javonte Williams. He said Adams praised each member of the group, but had comments that "stuck out" about one particular competitor.
What They're Saying: Mafah Impressing
Adams, via Walker: "The guy that probably doesn't get as much credit as he deserves right now is Phil Mafah. I think he is having a really nice camp so far. So yeah, let's freaking battle it out."
Matthew Lenix of SB Nation's Blogging the Boys: "[Jaydon] Blue will not have it easy winning RB2 duties. Mafah is also entering his second year in Dallas after only playing in the season finale a year ago. He hasn't wasted any time making himself a strong candidate to back up Williams. In fact, Mafah is clearly more explosive in camp than he was a year ago, which is something he worked on during the offseason. ... The development of Mafah, who is similar in build and running style to Williams, could give the Cowboys another downhill ball carrier that can physically wear defenses down."
2026 Fantasy Football Impact: Know What You're Buying
Want the short version? This doesn't look like a situation in which you should bet on a true handcuff.
Blue has been the buzzier candidate since arriving as a fifth-round pick with 4.43 speed and 42 catches in his final college season. But he also totaled just 214 carries across three years at Texas and stands 5'9, 198 pounds. Blue probably doesn't have workhorse usage in his outlook.
Mafah checks in at 6'1, 232. He's more of a plodder (4.61-second 40 time) but finished his Clemson run with two backfield leading years:
- 2023: 179 carries, 21 catches while sharing work with Will Shipley (167 carries, 31 catches)
- 2024: 216 carries, 21 catches after Shipley left (fifth-round pick by Philadelphia)
Mafah averaged a decent 5.1 yards per carry for his college career and a sluggish 5.3 yards per catch.
Add that to the size discrepancy between Mafah and Blue, and you have a sensible duo in case Williams misses time.
Malik Davis and Israel Abanikanda are competing as well. Abanikanda looks like a weak bet to make the roster after barely seeing the field across his first three seasons. Davis has been with the Cowboys since 2022, which makes him comfy insurance. But he's also 27 (until Nov. 26) and has tallied just 90 carries and 8 receptions for his NFL career.
Blue and Mafah are the likeliest factors here. Just don't expect either to approximate Williams' workload if the starter goes down.
Dynasty Impact: Upside's Lacking
Mafah and Blue make similar sense as dynasty stashes vs. redraft.
It seems likely that neither player is headed for a backfield-leading future, and Williams just signed a three-year extension in February that almost certainly locks him in through at least 2027.
