The logjam at running back in Dallas is far from resolved. Even with veterans Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders working with the first team, plenty of buzz surrounds Jaydon Blue, who could see significant reps this season if he keeps impressing in training camp.
With Sanders dealing with a knee injury, the RB competition has shaken up. The RB group has gotten tricky to the point that Brian Schottenheimer doesn't know how the pecking order will shake out.
Well, Schottenheimer admitted this week that he's been too quiet on seventh-round rookie Phil Mafah.
"Again, the guy I probably haven't talked about enough that shows up every day now is Phil (Mafah). Phil is a guy that when he moves, it's very smooth. Very fluid. His vision is excellent, and so he's a guy that I didn't really have much of a feel for in the spring because I didn't see him much," Schottenheimer said.
Phil Mafah's stock is rising in the Cowboys' RB competition
Mafah may have been a seventh-round pick and the least likely to draw attention, but even before camp, expectations were that all five backs - including Mafah - would make the roster.
Since camp began, the crowded RB room many expected is taking shape. Deuce Vaughn appears to be the most likely odd man out as he remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, and with Sanders sidelined as well, Mafah has a chance to make his case and he has grabbed the bull by the horns.
At Clemson, Mafah waited his turn behind Will Shipley but proved his power once he got a chance to be RB1. That same strength could make him a valuable weapon for the Cowboys, especially in short-yardage and red-zone situations.
With questions still surrounding how Williams and Sanders can perform consistently, the rookies might be the answer that the Cowboys fans never thought they needed. Schottenheimer now has Mafah on his radar and he seems poised to give the former Tiger plenty of chances in preseason action.
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