Last season was a disappointing campaign for both Dallas Cowboys rookie running backs, Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah. Both dealt with injuries as Blue missed time due to a right ankle and heel, while Mafah landed on IR early with a shoulder injury, only playing in the season finale. With neither running back able to see the field consistently, practice squad darling Malik Davis inserted himself into the running back discussion. Now as prep work for the 2026 season is underway, both second-year pros are healthy and looking to incorporate their skill sets into a rejuvenated Cowboys rushing attack.
Which one has the best chance to see more time on the field in relief of lead back Javonte Williams?
Many believe Blue’s speed has the best chance to add firepower to the offense, as he’s a threat in both the running and passing game. Blue does provide more explosiveness, something the Cowboys have been missing out the backfield. Davis flashed when called upon last season, in both catching and running the football. Unfortunately, his season ended after he suffered an eye and calf injury in Week 17. Both have the talent, but it’s actually Mafah who will have a greater impact. This has more to do with Williams rather than each player’s individual skill set.
Mafah has the upper hand for two reasons: if Williams were to go down with an injury during the season, the running back best suited to fill in for him would be the bigger and more physical Mafah. At 6-foot-1 and 234 pounds, Mafah has the size best suited to wear down a defense and handle the lead role in this Cowboys offense. Whereas Blue, who measures in at 5-foot-9 and 196 pounds, lacks the size and physical running style needed on early downs and in goal-line situations to be effective in head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s offense.
Davis’ measurements are in between, measuring 5-foot-11 and 202 pounds, slightly bigger than Blue, but still lacking the size Mafah and Williams have.
Their size also factors into pass protection. The running backs in Dallas must be able to pass protect, and Mafah’s size and experience make him better suited to step in for Williams to protect franchise quarterback Dak Prescott. It’s something Texas rarely asked of Blue due to his size, and being the smallest of the three running backs puts him at a disadvantage against bigger linebackers and edge rushers.
Davis had been a willing blocker at Florida, but just like Blue, he was rarely asked to pass block because his size made him a liability in the passing game. In the pros, he graded at just a 50.0 (out of 100) in Pro Football Focus ratings from 2025.
The same can’t be said for Mafah at Clemson. Mafah was routinely asked to block in passing situations thanks to his 234-pound frame, allowing him to enter the draft as the more experienced pass-blocking running back of the two.
Taking these two factors into account, it’s simple to see why Mafah’s chances of having a bigger impact are more realistic. This isn’t going to be about Blue and Davis’ playmaking abilities for the Cowboys; it’ll be more about who can best duplicate the production of Williams as the primary running back and protect Prescott on passing downs. In each of these situations, Mafah gives Dallas the best chance to succeed and will matter more going forward for the Cowboys.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Which of 3 Cowboys running backs makes the most sense as the backup?
Reporting by Terence Watson , Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
