When the Dallas Cowboys opened training camp more than three weeks ago in Oxnard, California, the plan for the running back group looked straightforward.
Javonte Williams stood as the clear starter. Fullback Hunter Luepke figured to stick around even with limited carries. That left two 2025 draft picks, Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah, to battle for the remaining spots behind Williams.
The setup pointed toward keeping four running backs. One player complicated the picture: Malik Davis, the undrafted fifth-year veteran who often flies under the radar in the Cowboys’ backfield.
Davis has stood out during the preseason. He started the first exhibition against Seattle and delivered another solid showing in the win over Arizona on Saturday. Through two games he has 12 carries for 68 yards along with a receiving touchdown.
Keeping Davis on the 53-man roster means someone else has to go. The Cowboys are not expected to carry more than four running backs. That development does not look promising for Mafah.
Veteran Cowboys beat reporter Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News projects Mafah as the odd man out after two preseason contests. Watkins lists Williams, Davis, Blue and Luepke as the likely keepers.
The Cowboys value Blue’s speed and continue working with him on becoming a more complete professional, especially in protecting the football. Mafah may simply lack a clear role at this stage.
Watkins wrote: “Phil Mafah has done nothing wrong here. Davis and Blue just played better in the preseason. Davis is also a personal protector on punts, so that gives him a slight edge. Israel Abanikanda is someone the Cowboys should keep for the practice squad.”
Other observers reach similar conclusions about Davis holding a firm place in the pecking order and Mafah facing the cut.
At Cowboys Roundtable, Adam Schultz wrote, “Davis has now usurped both Blue and Mafah in the running back depth chart after his two preseason games. Yes, Blue did manage 75 yards on 15 carries in Arizona, and Mafah got himself a late touchdown run (14 yards), but maybe the die was already cast, as Davis was pulled early.”
Jon Machota of The Athletic also expects Davis to serve as the No. 2 running back with Mafah left off the final roster.
“Malik Davis seems to be the player with whom the Cowboys are most comfortable in that role at the moment. He started Saturday and played well,” Machota wrote.
Mafah should find an opportunity somewhere in the NFL if Dallas releases him. At the same time, Davis’s progress deserves recognition. He first fought his way onto the team in 2022 and has bounced between the active roster and practice squad in the years since while remaining a reliable presence.
Coach Brian Schottenheimer has praised the consistency and versatility Davis brings to the field.
“When you watch those guys compete, Malik — the guy is consistent. He’s a good football player. He’s good on offense. He’s good on special teams. He’s good in pass protection. He’s a good runner. He runs behind his pads. He makes positive yards. He has not been a surprise.”
Davis now sits in position to make the Cowboys’ active roster out of training camp for the first time in his career. That reality creates difficult news for Mafah as the final cuts approach.
