The Dallas Cowboys raised eyebrows for their handling of the running back position over the offseason. Not only did they break from recent norms and invest a hefty sum of $24M to retain Javonte Williams, but they resisted the urge to add another notable running back to the stable ahead of the new season.
As things stand, the Cowboys’ top running backs heading into training camp will be Wiliams, Jaydon Blue, Malik Davis, Phil Mafah, and Hunter Luepke. The lack of notoriety amongst the group has led to speculation Dallas will go extremely thin at running back during final roster cuts.
What’s perhaps more curious than their lack of depth is their hierarchy in minicamps. Making a surprise appearance as RB1 is Mafah, a second-year player out of Clemson. At 6-foot, 234 pounds, Mafah is built like a bell-cow, packing a punch the other challengers don’t possess. It’s what makes him a viable insurance policy to Williams should injury befall the veteran starter and what makes these first team reps so understandable.
Testing Mafah’s ability to hit holes, pick up blocks and generally execute the playbook, makes perfect sense for a team hoping to insulate the ranks from within. Blue fits the rotation as more of a change-of-pace back, Luepke as more of a do-it-all FB/TE combo, and Davis as a “if all else fails” kinda guy.
If Mafah can shine in practices and training camp, the Cowboys may have an affordable insurance policy they can develop in the background. Unlike Blue or Luepke, he’s an unknown player that could still be stashed on a practice squad, but still reliably fill in as a RB1 should the unthinkable happen to Williams.
Mafah will be a fun player to quietly monitor this year in Oxnard. Ideally the Cowboys will see just enough in him to feel confident in his ability to backup Williams in the background. With any luck he won’t show too much so other teams become interested, but just enough to keep Dallas interested.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys testing out new insurance policy for $24M investment
Reporting by Reid D Hanson, Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Reid D Hanson, Cowboys Wire | USA TODAY Network
