The Dallas Cowboys have their second preseason game on Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens. While starters won't be playing in this contest, it'll be an opportunity for other guys to carve out a spot for themselves.
For the last couple of weeks, training camp has been the place where players have started to emerge, but also fall down the depth chart.
In the backfield, rookie RB Phil Mafah has been a bolt of energy and will be pushing Miles Sanders for playing time.
Cowboys RB Phil Mafah Is Standing Out in Training Camp
The battle in the running back room is one of the most interesting storylines around the Cowboys. During free agency, Sanders signed with Dallas on a one-year, $1.337 million deal and joined Javonte Williams and Deuce Vaughn in the backfield.
The Cowboys continued to add more bodies to that room, as they drafted both Jaydon Blue and Mafah in the 2025 NFL draft.
Sanders returned to practice on Aug. 12 after missing about two weeks with a knee bruise. In his absence, there were more carries available, and Mafah has taken advantage. As training camp has gone on, he has improved and pulled off some long runs in practice.
In the preseason opener against the Rams, he finished with 36 rushing yards and 15 receiving yards. Mafah is a downhill runner who doesn't shy away from contact. He was even seen picking up a blitz against Los Angeles, which was great to see, as pass protection is another underrated way for running backs to get on the field.
Considering Mafah was a seventh-round pick, he's showcasing that he can bring some juice to this room. Meanwhile, Sanders is a six-year vet who hasn't looked the same since his days with the Eagles in 2022. Missing time is never ideal, and Sanders is playing catch-up now.
Mafah will have another chance to stand out during Saturday's game against the Ravens and build off what he did versus the Rams.
Over four seasons at Clemson, he finished with 2,887 rushing yards, 619 receiving yards, and 28 rushing touchdowns.
In The Athletic's Dane Brugler's draft guide, he wrote, "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."
For the last few weeks, you've seen these traits pop out and add some excitement around the rookie. And his stout training camp is putting Sanders on the chopping block.