The Dallas Cowboys have earned praise this offseason for their savvy (at least by their usual standard) moves, but one under-the-radar acquisition could prove to be just as impactful as any other. While much attention has focused on high-profile draft picks and big-name signings, undrafted free agent running back Phil Mafah is emerging as a potential steal, drawing comparisons to established NFL stars and fitting seamlessly into the Cowboys’ evolving offensive scheme.
Mafah’s arrival in Dallas comes at a time of transition for the Cowboys’ offense. With new offensive coordinator Klayton Adams, formerly of the Arizona Cardinals, the team is expected to shift toward a gap-heavy running scheme. This kind of style that plays directly to Mafah’s strengths. As noted by reporter Zaren Kantzabedian, last season, the Cardinals led the NFL by running gap concepts on 69% of their plays, and Adams is expected to bring that same philosophy to Dallas.
Mafah, known for his powerful, downhill running style, excelled in gap schemes during his college career. He thrives on plays where offensive linemen create clear lanes through double teams and physical blocking. This is a marked contrast to the zone-heavy approach the Cowboys used in 2024. While not a perfect fit for every scheme, Mafah’s talents perfectly align with the Cowboys’ new offensive direction.
What makes Mafah even more interesting is that his physical and athletic profile matches that of James Conner, the Cardinals’ Pro Bowl running back. Both players stand at 6’1” and weigh nearly the same, with almost identical arm and hand measurements. Their scouting reports from college are also strikingly similar: both are described as physical runners who gather momentum as the play develops, but each was also noted for having “tight hips” and lacking elite quickness. This doesn’t mean Mafah will be as good as Conner (Conner was much better in college than Mafah was). But it does highlight that Mafah could be easily integrated into what Adams’ is wanting from his running packs.
Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison between the two backs:
The numbers back up the comparison. In college, Mafah averaged 3.24 yards after contact, slightly outpacing Conner’s 2.95 yards per attempt in his final season at Pitt. When it comes to making defenders miss, Conner forced 39 missed tackles in his last college season; Mafah was right behind with 351. These stats underscore Mafah’s ability to not only absorb contact but to keep churning out extra yards.
It’s important to highlight that while Mafah is better suited for gap schemes, he is no beginner when it comes to zone concepts. He logged 105 zone and 101 gap running snaps during his senior season at Clemson. This versatility means he can contribute regardless of how the Cowboys mix their run concepts in 2025.
While the Cowboys did invest in running back Jaydon Blue in the draft and brought in veteran Javonte Williams (among others), Mafah’s unique fit and physicality give him a real shot at carving out a role, especially as a short-yardage or goal-line specialist. The coaching staff’s new approach emphasizes competition and earning every snap, and Mafah’s style is exactly what the Cowboys want as they build a tougher, more physical identity on offense.
The potential of a “Thunder and Lightning” backfield pairing, with Blue providing the speed and explosiveness and Mafah delivering the power between the tackles, also looms large While Blue has more potential and will likely contribute more early there is non-zero chance that the future two-headed monster of the Cowboys running attack was acquired in this April’s draft class.
The Dallas Cowboys’ ability to identify and develop talent outside the draft’s early rounds has been a hallmark of their front office in recent years. In Phil Mafah, they may have found another gem. He has the skills, mentality, and physical tools that are tailor-made for the new-look Dallas offense. If early indications hold true, Mafah could be the latest undrafted free agent to make a massive impact in the NFL, and Cowboys fans would be wise to keep a close eye on his progress as the 2025 season approaches.
Disclaimer: The content of this article was originally published as a YouTube video on the Saturday Morning Inspection YouTube channel. With AI assistance, the publisher of the video created this article based on the content of that video.
