1 week Ago By Cowboys Wire
The Cowboys' latest running back committee has grown by one punishing member.With the 239th overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, the Cowboys selected Phil Mafah out of Clemson. The pick, obtained by Dallas as part of the Kenneth Murray trade package, came fewer than 70 spots after the Cowboys took running back Jaydon Blue.
Mafah was a 1,000-yard rusher for the Tigers in 2024 and just barely missed the threshold in 2023. Now he'll join a room in Dallas with Miles Sanders, Javonte Williams, Deuce Vaughn, Malik Davis, Hunter Luepke, and the aforementioned Blue out of Texas.But according to several national draft outlets, Mafah brings something that the Cowboys don't currently have.
Here's a sampling of their pre-draft evaluations.Dane Brugler, The AthleticLinkA one-year starter at Clemson, Mafah became the Tigers’ featured back as a senior in offensive coordinator Garrett Riley’s balanced gap/zone run scheme. Although injuries caught up with him over the final month of the 2024 season, Mafah averaged 7.
0 yards per carry in September and October, and his overall production improved each of his four seasons with the Tigers.Though he is more bulldozer than dancer between the tackles, Mafah patiently makes his reads to follow blocks and become a one-cut runner to open space. He will run through arm tackles and make some defensive backs look like speed bumps at the second level using his willingness to finish with physicality.
Overall, Mafah is a big, strong downhill runner who lacks explosiveness to be a consistent perimeter runner but has the footwork and power to work between the tackles. He has the necessary skills to hold up his end of the bargain in a two-headed NFL backfield committee.Lance Zierlein, NFL.
comLinkMafah runs hard and keeps the carry on track. He is big and tight-hipped with a linear running style that gathers momentum as the run proceeds. He’s tough but clunky as an interior runner with a lack of vision and wiggle to find additional yards if there isn’t a wide-open lane.
Mafah might need to prove himself on special teams to offer enough roster flexibility to make it as an RB3.NFL Draft BuzzLinkHe's that throwback power back with surprising agility who's going to make his money between the tackles and in short-yardage situations. What separates Mafah from other big backs is his patience and vision - he doesn't just blindly slam into the line.
He sets up blocks beautifully, allowing pulling linemen to connect before he accelerates through the hole with surprising burst for his size.While Mafah won't be outrunning many NFL defensive backs, his combination of power, vision, and unexpected nimbleness will make him an immediately valuable contributor in a committee backfield. Teams operating behind strong offensive lines would benefit most from his downhill style.
In the right system, Mafah could develop into a reliable early-down hammer who wears defenses down while contributing enough in the passing game to avoid becoming one-dimensional.Given the devaluation of the running back position, Mafah likely comes off the board early on Day 3, providing excellent value for a team looking to add power to their backfield rotation. His immediate impact will come in short-yardage packages, but don't be surprised if Mafah eventually carves out a significant role as a complementary piece in a two-back system.
While he may never become a featured workhorse in today's NFL, his punishing style and reliable production will earn him a roster spot and meaningful touches from day one.Dame Parson, Bleacher ReportLinkPhil Mafah is the epitome of a physical and punishing running back.As a runner, Mafah is a strong downhill with a plus-level contact balance.
He runs with power and physicality after breaking through the first level of the defense. Mafah is a forward-leaning runner who is rarely knocked backward with momentum. He runs through would-be arm tackles and has a strong stiff arm to keep pursuing defenders at bay.
He thrives, pressing the line of scrimmage with patience and good vision to find open lanes. Mafah sports a strong and sturdy frame to absorb and dish out punishment.For a bigger body RB, Mafah displays good footwork to exchange gaps and find alternative routes to daylight.
He is a patient runner who does not speed up his run pacing. He follows blockers well, especially on pin/pull concepts with lead blockers, before accelerating through the void created. Mafah has lateral cuts/side steps to avoid a defender upfield.
He processes information well, reading and cutting off upfield defender's leverage or weight distribution.Mafah is a surprisingly effective pass catcher out of the backfield. He is functional in space, catching the football with confidence and reliable hands.
He is effective in the screen game due to his patience and catching ability. His burst/acceleration through traffic into the open field is good and puts defensive backs in conflict to make business decisions as he approaches at full speed.In terms of overall athleticism, Mafah is not an explosive athlete.
He lacks a dynamic first step or plant step to explode past quick-penetrating defenders. If caught in the backfield, Mafah does not have many answers to combat it. Against alley defenders, he heavily relies on physicality and power to force missed tackles.
He is not a finesse or elusive mover to break defenders down one-on-one.Overall, Phil Mafah projects as a potential starting running back. His athletic profile will not be for every organization in the NFL.
His ability to run with power and patience bodes well as a short-yardage and red-zone RB. He is a talented prospect, but team fit will be important for Mafah's NFL success.Pro Football FocusLinkMafah brings a power back profile to the table, with size that ranks above the 78th percentile in height, weight, and length among running backs.
He's averaged over 3.2 yards after contact in each of the past four seasons, but his lack of top-tier agility, burst and long speed limits his upside. He projects best as a short-yardage or third-down option at the next level.
Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Draft profiles of Cowboys' 'physical and punishing' RB Phil Mafah.
