Who Should I Start? Deuce Vaughn or Phil Mafah

Monday, January 6, 9:14 AM

Dallas Cowboys running back Deuce Vaughn acted as the team's RB2 on Sunday in the 23-19 loss to Washington following the release of running back Ezekiel Elliott. Vaughn rushed six times for 37 yards, spelling Rico Dowdle. The 5-foot-6 running back looked solid, cranking out a team-long 12-yard carry among his six rush attempts. Vaughn will look to earn a larger role going into next season as Dowdle is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the spring.

Wednesday, May 7, 8:14 PM

The Dallas Cowboys have signed seventh-round rookie running back Phil Mafah to a four-year, $4.31 million deal, per the team's transaction log. Mafah spent his entire college career at Clemson, garnering seven starts over his first three seasons before starting in all 14 games in 2024. He broke out last year, rushing for 1,115 yards and eight touchdowns across 216 carries (5.2 YPC). The 22-year-old wasn't much of a receiver over his first two campaigns, but he caught 21 balls in each of his junior and senior seasons, though he did not score any TDs there. Like his fellow rookie rusher Jaydon Blue, Mafah will have the opportunity to crack Dallas' backfield due to the lack of competition in front of him. This RB room will be one to watch throughout the months leading up to the NFL season.