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

[DeaconMoss]

I honestly can't believe they traded up in the 5th for a ST player when Devin Neal was available.

Eh. Im not big on Neal either. Him and Mafah are sort of the same type of guy. Neal has way more production however. Kamara, Kendre Miller gonna get the looks. Yarns and Neal are both fighting for a spot. I think Yarns maybe a better player.

 

[Pass2Run]

that's what I thought, but somebody mentioned that in goal line and short yardage, things are right, holes are few and quickness is key which he doesn't have it.

He scored 4 TDs in one game his senior year. But he does lack that first step of quickness.

I actually like Blue in the RedZone more.

 

[plasticman]

An underdog to make the 53 squad for sure.

Profiles typically don't say a lot about what is in the head. What drives him?

I'm hoping that the Cowboys discovered something about him that makes them believe he could be an intense "Barber" type of back.

Going into training camp I may select him as my "pet cat".

 

[KingCorcoran]

I'm thinking an injury to one of our vets will happen as is common in the NFL. So he will get a shot at it. By years end I envision a heavier dose of him and Blue , Williams.

If he has anything close to the potential you’re suggesting no way he would have lasted until the 7th round.

 

[Bobhaze]

An underdog to make the 53 squad for sure.

Profiles typically don't say a lot about what is in the head. What drives him?

I'm hoping that the Cowboys discovered something about him that makes them believe he could be an intense "Barber" type of back.

Going into training camp I may select him as my "pet cat".

Yeah I’m anxious to see what this RB room has. I’m still very concerned that this collection of RBs is average.

Jaydon Blue gives us some juice and playmaking abilities but he’s never been more than a part time weapon in college. Mafah is bigger and used to having more touches, but doesn’t have a lot of speed or big play abilities.

Both these rookies have some intrigue but I cannot say I’m confident we have a really good run game. Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders don’t give me a ton of confidence either. We will see.

 

[shabazz]

I’m happy you posted this. Much more realistic than the person who said he’s similar to Derrick Henry

I never said similar......I said exactly.

Give me a break. Its only June......I can live this delusion until September 4th 8:20 ET, and never acknowledge it again

 

[DeaconMoss]

That's it, we do wanna play bully ball. That's the plan. Which is why he was a fit. Soften defenses up with Williams and Mafah, then hit them with blue later.

CD. Yo man get me the ball.
GP3. Yo man get me the ball.
Ferguson. Yo man get me the ball.
QB4. Yo Coach they open. Can we open it up a little?
See how long this culture thing lasts. And how long this run commitment lasts.

 

[Bullflop]

Mafah will not be running behind our starting Oline in pre-season. He also won't be running against starters. That being said I'm still hoping he does well in the pre-season.

We'll see what happens and which players are involved in Phil Mahah's performances in TC and the preseason. Whether or not some of the starters are involved or not remains to be seen. I'd agree that Mafah will see action vs. some of the opposition's backups, but there will be times that other teams may choose to involve some of their starters, if not all of them. Hopefully, Mafah puts his best foot forward to impress the Cowboys' fans well enough to be retained. We'll see.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

He scored 4 TDs in one game his senior year. But he does lack that first step of quickness.

I actually like Blue in the RedZone more.

Blue is also a recieving threat, which makes it even more dangerous. he can run outside, catch, and if OL is as advertised can get you that one yard or two.

 

[shabazz]

Blue is also a recieving threat, which makes it even more dangerous. he can run outside, catch, and if OL is as advertised can get you that one yard or two.

Surprisingly, Deuce had twice the amount of receptions in 3 seasons that Blue had in almost the identical amount of games in college......one wonders why Deuce hasn't been utilized that way here?

 

[Blackrain]

An underdog to make the 53 squad for sure.

Profiles typically don't say a lot about what is in the head. What drives him?

I'm hoping that the Cowboys discovered something about him that makes them believe he could be an intense "Barber" type of back.

Going into training camp I may select him as my "pet cat".

Exactly you just don't know what's in a man's head or in his heart.

I want a guy who's not afraid to put his head down and wants it more than the guy in front of him.

I've seen enough of these business decision makers with all the speed and talent but no guts to want to beat the guy in front of them

 

[plasticman]

Yeah I’m anxious to see what this RB room has. I’m still very concerned that this collection of RBs is average.

Jaydon Blue gives us some juice and playmaking abilities but he’s never been more than a part time weapon in college. Mafah is bigger and used to having more touches, but doesn’t have a lot of speed or big play abilities.

Both these rookies have some intrigue but I cannot say I’m confident we have a really good run game. Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders don’t give me a ton of confidence either. We will see.

I agree that the squad appears very average.

I look at the NFL today and see that the majority of successful RBs are 1st and 2nd round picks. I was disappointed through the last three drafts that the Cowboys didn't address this obvious need.

The Cowboys management seem to believe that a strong O-line will elevate an average RB squad but I have my doubts. Jerry believed that in 1993 when Emmitt held out and he was proved wrong. He believed that again in 2015 when he lowballed Marray. Again, he was proven wrong.

I'm hoping that Williams and Sanders, both former 2nd round picks, will provide enough of a running threat to take the pressure off the passing game and i hope that will be enough, given our receivers.

I really don't expect anything more than an average running attack but that might be enough if the passing game flourishes and the defense keeps things closer than last season.

I do know that the offense will fail if opponents have absolutely no fear of the running game. Assuming no major injuries, I think this RB squad can be far better than last season.

 

[AyeAtey]

He's a serviceable underrated RB that might have a better pro career than college. At worst, he's a 700-800 total yard guy. Maybe gets 5-10 TDS a year. At best? That's the question. None of us really know right now. Not til the pads are on.

Those are lofty numbers for a supposedly rb3 or worst?

Rb2 maybe.

Agreed till the pads are on and on the team. For all the draft picks and newbies.

 

[Ranching]

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.

Defenses hate backs like this....very punishing. He'll be able to wear players down, opening the door for out speed back. Instead of Beavis and Butthead, we'll have, Head butt and Bevo!