A closer look at RB Phil Mafah and what he can and can't be

Rayman70 said:
So. He doesn't need to be Superman every play. There's a role for him here if he can prove himself. Soon as we stash him on the PS he will get poached. That's why he won't go to the PS. They won't let that happen.
Click to expand...
The bolded is exactly what I'm saying.

Unless he tears it up in preseason, no one will be looking to poach him.
 
kskboys said:
Why the "Gawd"? Who do you compare him to? What's wrong w/ comparing a player to one w/ a similar skillset?
Click to expand...
Because Troy should not have ever started games. He was there due to default lol. That team was arse. Mafah is better. It will be shown. I compare him to White, the RB at Tampa. Or Larry Kinnebrew back in the day. Was drafted by Cincy I think.
 
Bobhaze said:
The Cowboys have needed an upgrade at RB for two years. Since Tony Pollard left in free agency after 2023 and JJ’s famous kamikaze off-season in 2024 where the Cowboys didn’t even draft a RB, something needed to be done.

In the 2025 draft, the Cowboys finally selected two RBs, both Day 3 picks. Jaydon Blue of Univ of Texas in round 5 and Clemson’s Phil Mafa in round 7. Both are Day 3 picks for a reason but at least RB was addressed in the draft.

This thread takes a look at 7th round pick Phil Mafa. 6’1, 215, with a 4.55 40. What can he be? What can he not be?
First his college stats at Clemson and what they show:
  • 2021 (Freshman season) 9 games:
    • Rushing 68/292 yds, 4.3 ypc, 3 TDs
    • Receiving 7/50 yds, 7.1 ypc, 0 TDs
    • Total touches 75/342 yds, 4.6 yds per touch, 3 TDs
  • 2022 (Soph season) 14 games
    • Rushing 98/515 yds, 5.3 ypc, 4 TDs
    • Receiving 9/48 yds, 5.3 ypc 0 TDs
    • Total touches 107/563 yds, 5.3 yds per touch 4 TDs
  • 2023 (Junior season) 13 games
    • Rushing 179/965 yds, 5.4 ypc, 13 TDs
    • Receiving 21/108 yds, 5.1 ypc, 0 TDs
    • Total touches 200/1,073 yds, 5.4 yards per touch, 13 TDs
  • 2024 (Senior season) 14 games
    • Rushing 216/1,115 yds, 5.2 ypc, 8 TDs
    • Receiving 21/103 yards, 5.1 ypc, 0 TDs
    • Total Touches: 237/1,218 yds, 5.1 yds per touch, 8 TDs
  • TOTALS (50 games)
    • Rushing 561/2,887 yds, 5.1 ypc, 28 TDs
    • Receiving 58/309 yds, 5.3 ypc, 0 TDs
    • Total touches: 619/3,196 yds, 5.2 yds per touch, 28 TDs
What the college stats say to me is that while at Clemson, Mafa was a consistent, reliable, (not spectacular) running option, who was good but clearly not great. Probably not a good receiving option as his yards per catch show along with 0 TDs. He seems to be a good red zone runner with some size. Not a lot of breakaway speed.

Here’s what NFL.com had to say about Mafa in their scouting report:
STRENGTHS
  • Totes the rock in a linebacker-like frame.
  • Keeps runs on track and rarely gets caught trying to do too much.
  • Follows blocks and steers them into contact before cutting.
  • Heavy behind his pads and wears tacklers down.
  • Accelerates through contact as a run finisher.
WEAKNESSES
  • Lacks initial quickness to get the run kicked off.
  • Tight-hipped with limited quickness in his cuts.
  • Unable to side-step defenders in smaller spaces.
  • Transmission lacks acceleration and gear shifts.
  • Doesn’t offer much in the passing game.
The pre-draft score for Phil Mafa according to NFL.com is 5.69 which is categorized as a player who is probably a deeper back-up, practice squad type player.

As a 7th round pick, Mafa is a long shot to say the least. He’s got some skills though. With his size, durability and reputation as wearing people down, he could be a good red zone, short yardage option, or maybe a RB to feed with a 4th qtr 10 point lead.

So Mafa appears to have a narrow but clearly defined skill set. He’s not spectacular but as we head to TC, he will be an interesting player to watch. My expectations are low but I would love to be surprised.
Click to expand...
You know what it tells me,

it tells me the guy has at the very least a positive part of his game is he wasn't worn out in college, sometimes you get guys with too much mileage they don't last long in the NFL, especially a guy like him who reminds me of Najee Harris. I was sitting here thinking about this.

i've never been impressed with Najee Harris's game except for the fact he was big and strong and can keep the chains moving he was not spectacular nothing he did looked great, but it was good enough for the Pittsburgh Steelers for four years and then it looks like in free agency he found a home...​

That's what this team needs if he can do that just be consistent get the short yardage be the goal line guy and then boom you have guys like blue come in or other guys come in and do other things they're running by committee can work when you have a hammer already.

This guy is under the radar and he shouldn't be, I realize he's a late round pick but so is Terrell Davis and we've been through all this other stuff with Tom Brady and Brock Brady it doesn't matter where you're picked as long as you make the best of your situation, and this is the one position get on really looking forward to preseason cause every one of these guys are going to be fighting for limited spots...

We can very possibly have drafted Thunder and lightning, and I realized it might not be instantaneous, but he does not need to be spectacular or dynamic he just needs to move the ball...

That's it I watched in the old days you know people go back to those eras you look and it's it's shocking that you see a guy like Eddie George have a career average at 3.8 yards per carry he also was like Najee Harris he just was steady Eddie, right ,the pun, it fits..

that's what we need out of the running back to come in on normal run plays and then you mix in players who can do dynamic things this is up to the coaching staff and the offensive line and especially the play caller.

We've been missing that around here the coaching staffs are not very creative especially when they're calling plays for situational football and that's what we need....

I'm putting this on the coating stuff define the right mix of players and then elevate their play make them efficient it's not difficult if you have the right players as long as you find the right play calls.....

.
 
I see Mafah as a PS player for now. But could push Leupke, if they decide to have them compete for a roster spot. Since they re close to the same size.
He will not get poached if going the PS.

I am pulling for him to make the 53 though. However, I feel, depending how many RB's they keep. He will be inactive game days. Unless he becomes a very good ST's player.
 
jazzcat22 said:
I see Mafah as a PS player for now. But could push Leupke, if they decide to have them compete for a roster spot. Since they re close to the same size.
He will not get poached if going the PS.

I am pulling for him to make the 53 though. However, I feel, depending how many RB's they keep. He will be inactive game days. Unless he becomes a very good ST's player.
Click to expand...
Technically your hypothesis would be very close to true but they really like him, so they will likely not put him on the PS. Won't risk losing him. I also think they want him to have and win a role in the rotation. I love his tenacity he plays with.
 
jazzcat22 said:
I see Mafah as a PS player for now. But could push Leupke, if they decide to have them compete for a roster spot. Since they re close to the same size.
He will not get poached if going the PS.

I am pulling for him to make the 53 though. However, I feel, depending how many RB's they keep. He will be inactive game days. Unless he becomes a very good ST's player.
Click to expand...
He's sneaky my friend. Keep an eye on him.
 
Based on everything I’ve seen and read about Phil Mafa including his college tape, IMO he is not a complete back. His best hope is an occasional contributor.

Maybe he can develop. But IMO, expecting a guy at the bottom of the draft to turn into a regular contributor to a running game screaming for major help is the hole in one or a full court length basketball shot kind of hope. Possible. Not likely.

As always, I could be dead wrong. For anyone believing Phil Mafah is going to be an immediate help, now is the season for hope. Anxious to see Mafa in TC.
 
DeaconMoss said:
7th round. Repeat it. Being drafted in 7th is no better than UDFA. Its a flier. Counting on 7th rounders for actual minutes is over the top hopeful. Most are lucky to make the 53.
Click to expand...
Agree, so who cares if he has a role in the RB room? I'm pulling for the kid. He has good tape. What if we stole a player that's better than projected? Then it's gravy. Let's see before we pigeon him into a corner.
 
Rayman70 said:
Agree, so who cares if he has a role in the RB room? I'm pulling for the kid. He has good tape. What if we stole a player that's better than projected? Then it's gravy. Let's see before we pigeon him into a corner.
Click to expand...
Where is the good tape? I haven't seen it.
 
Bobhaze said:
Based on everything I’ve seen and read about Phil Mafa including his college tape, IMO he is not a complete back. His best hope is an occasional contributor.

Maybe he can develop. But IMO, expecting a guy at the bottom of the draft to turn into a regular contributor to a running game screaming for major help is the hole in one or a full court length basketball shot kind of hope. Possible. Not likely.

As always, I could be dead wrong. For anyone believing Phil Mafah is going to be an immediate help, now is the season for hope. Anxious to see Mafa in TC.
Click to expand...
Not complete but certainly can be much better as a contributor than you think. Depends how he's used. He's not a starter, and none of us are getting crazy saying that, but I can see him in a RB 2 role. Certain short yardage or goal line stuff
 
DeaconMoss said:
7th round. Repeat it. Being drafted in 7th is no better than UDFA. Its a flier. Counting on 7th rounders for actual minutes is over the top hopeful. Most are lucky to make the 53.
Click to expand...
Yes a very late rd guy, so I ask, why the angst? Wouldn't it be cool if he not only made the team but was a bit better than anyone thought?
 
Rayman70 said:
Because Troy should not have ever started games. He was there due to default lol. That team was arse. Mafah is better. It will be shown. I compare him to White, the RB at Tampa. Or Larry Kinnebrew back in the day. Was drafted by Cincy I think.
Click to expand...
He's not close to White or Kinnebrew.
 
Rayman70 said:
Yes a very late rd guy, so I ask, why the angst? Wouldn't it be cool if he not only made the team but was a bit better than anyone thought?
Click to expand...
Actually, it looks more like you're the one w/ angst!!!!!!!!!!!

Most people don't think a slow to the hole RB w/ no agility will be much of a player. I'm just not understanding why that bothers you!!!!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Staff online

Members online

... and 41 more.
Total: 870 (members: 141, guests: 729)

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
465,917
Messages
13,905,116
Members
23,793
Latest member
Roger33
Back
Top