Phil

Mafah

This was the first NFL action for the seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. He was used as a physical complement to fellow rookie Jaydon Blue and also added two catches for 11 yards. The 23-year-old will likely have to battle in training camp to keep his spot on the roster next season.

Davis was active as the backup to Javonte Williams in Week 9 over rookie Jaydon Blue and saw just one carry for three yards. He has played in three games this season, totaling three carries for six yards. The Cowboys jettisoning Davis either indicates rookie seventh-rounder Phil Mafah (shoulder) is nearing a return from injured reserve or a renewed confidence in Blue. Either way, Williams will continues to dominate backfield touches for the Cowboys. Davis is also a candidate to return via practice squad.

He’ll miss at least the first four weeks. This gives Dallas a little runway to see if Jaydon Blue or Miles Sanders can establish a true pecking order behind Javonte Williams. Mafah, Dallas’ seventh-round pick this year, ran hard in the preseason and has a chance to be a factor later in the year.

The rookie seventh-rounder has given the Cowboys a tough choice as far as roster cutdowns are concerned. Mafah only had 16 yards on his two carries, but his longest run came on a powerful burst up the middle that saw him run break multiple tackles to get down to the Falcons’ two-yard line. He would eventually score on a one-yard plunge. Mafah played with the backups to close out the game, but he has generated plenty of buzz for his work in camp and in the preseason.

“Schottenheimer wants to see how things unfold during offseason workouts and training camp,” Yousuf continues. It certainly seems to be a situation where Jaydon Blue could carve out a role in a hurry. “If Blue proves himself, he’ll have the chance to carve out a significant role,” Yousuf writes. Certainly nothing we saw from Javonte Williams or Miles Sanders in recent years would lead us to believe that they’ll be blocking Blue if he shows out in training camp.

Mafah (6’1/234) is one of the bigger backs in this year’s class. The former Clemson Tiger joins the pro ranks after four collegiate seasons, and led the team in rushing in each of his final two years, and leaves school with a career rushing line of 561-2,887-28. Despite his imposing size, Mafah is little more than an average back when it comes to creating yards after contact and breaking tackles. In his final season, he forced a missed tackle on just 16.3 percent of his carries, although that could be partially blamed on a shoulder injury he suffered late in the year. He’s more of an early-down, between-the-tackles grinder than a back who will excel on runs to the outside, and he never caught more than 21 passes in a season. Mafah’s single-season receiving yardage total tops out at 108 yards. His best chance at NFL success will be in an early-down role, but special teams will likely also be a factor. With only 117 special teams snaps on his resumé and only one of them coming on kick coverage, Mafah could face an uphill battle to make a 53-man roster if he doesn’t stand out amongst his backfield competition in camp.

Mafah (6'1/215) got plenty of work this spring, as both starter Will Shipley (leg) and Kobe Pace (toe) were limited in returning from nagging injuries. Spiller indicated that Mafah arrived in camp with a heightened level of maturity after rushing 68 times for 292 yards, 4.3 YPC and three touchdowns, while reeling in seven-of-eight passes for 50 yards last year for the Tigers. Spiller said he’s comfortable putting any of the top three backs on the field and that Mafah might be the best receiving back on the roster. He has the potential to carve out a timeshare with Shipley and would likely be the top back should anything happen to the starter.

Mafah (6'1/215) did not appear in any of Clemson’s first four games, but the combination of injuries and Lyn-J Dixon’s transfer freed up reps for the freshman. Mafah, who has rushed for 171 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries, was dressed out and going through warmups ahead of Saturday’s game. He’ll backup classmate Will Shipley at running back.

There hasn’t been much more revealed on the situation, but his status is uncleared for next Saturday’s matchup against Louisville. Mafah (6'1/213) didn’t play the first four games this season but has made a role for himself since entering the lineup with 28 carries for 171 yards and a score through four games this year. Clemson has been dealing with injuries all season, especially on offense, starting center Mason Trotter left the game against FSU with an injury.

Mafah (6'1"/213) has yet to appear in a Clemson game so far despite five other RBs seeing time, but it’s not due to lack of talent according to Swinney. This could be coach speak, but Swinney did bring up Mafah unprompted during media availability on Tuesday. Swinney said "“Wait until you see Mafah. Wait until you see him. He’s as good as anybody we have.” Clemson has a lot of depth in that running back room, and freshman can play in four games before losing their redshirt eligibility so Swinney is waiting for the right chance to play Mafah in meaningful snaps. Swinney did guarantee that Mafah will see time at some point in the season. Mafah was a four star recruit in the last cycle, 185th overall and the 11th ranked RB.