Blogging The Boys
It’s only in the biggest of pictures that preseason games don’t matter. For the coaches and players involved, they absolutely do. A perfect example of that is rookie running back Phil Mafah, who’s strong performance against the Los Angeles Rams has greatly changed perceptions about where he stands in the Cowboys’ RB competition.
Mafah officially posted 36 rushing yards on 10 carries, plus two catches for 15 yards. But some of his best plays aren’t reflected in the box score, having been nullified by penalties. Still, throughout the night, Mafah displayed a good mix of power and burst. He caught both of the targets that came his way, showing the important ability to quickly turn and advance after the reception.
Tagged as a “power back” coming out of the draft, the 230-plus pounder Mafah looked more well-rounded than that in this first preseason outing. It’s an important step toward potentially making Dallas’ 53-man roster, where the RB depth chart is probably more up in the air than any other position.
Fellow rookie Jaydon Blue and fullback Hunter Luepke are the only guys who we’d consider absolute locks to make the team so far. Javonte Williams remains a heavy favorite as RB1, and got starter treatment by sitting out Saturday night’s game. But he’s still in competition with fellow veteran Miles Sanders, who missed this game with a minor knee issue. There’s a chance that whoever between them doesn’t win the starting job doesn’t even make the team.
Mafah could make that decision a lot easier. Dallas would naturally prefer a younger, cheaper player at the bottom of the depth chart. If Sanders doesn’t become the starter, he’s a 28-year-old back on a one-year deal. Mafah, still just 22, has a fresh four-year contract as a drafted player, and on the cheap as just a seventh-round pick. If the Cowboys grow confident in Mafah as a potential backup to Williams or whoever else is getting the significant touches, he becomes a valuable commodity.
There are two more preseason games and plenty more practices that will go into the final decision. But for one night, Phil Mafah did everything he could to raise his stock. Anyone who wasn’t taking him seriously as a roster contender should now be adjusting, and those who were are feeling validated. Hopefully, we’ll see more from his competition in the weeks ahead.
