Who Should I Start? Phil Mafah or Nathan Carter

Monday, January 5, 11:00 AM

Dallas Cowboys running back Phil Mafah got his first taste of NFL action in Week 18 against the New York Giants and finished the game with 29 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on seven touches. A seventh-round pick out of Clemson in the 2025 NFL draft, Mafah spent most of his rookie season on Injured Reserve with a shoulder injury. He got his chance to make an impression in Week 18 due to injuries to Cowboys running backs Javonte Williams (shoulder, neck) and Malik Davis (calf, eye). Heading into 2026, the Cowboys' running back room is in flux. Williams was the team's clear RB1 throughout the 2025 season, but he will hit free agency and is uncertain to be retained. Davis is also a free agent, though Dallas holds his restricted free agent rights. Depending on how the Cowboys choose to address the running back position this offseason, Mafah could find himself battling with 2025 fifth-rounder Jaydon Blue for a role in the Dallas backfield.

Saturday, August 16, 11:19 AM

Atlanta Falcons backup running back Nathan Carter led the team's backfield in Friday's 23-20 preseason loss to the Titans, rushing nine times for 63 yards, which included a 43-yard touchdown scamper straight up through the middle of the Tennessee defense in the third quarter. The rookie out of Michigan State got the most run of all the Falcon running backs, adding two catches for nine yards to his stat line, while Jashaun Corbin touched the ball six times and Elijah Dotson received three carries and one reception. Carter's run featured some good vision and breakaway speed, a couple of traits that should go a long way in helping to secure a roster spot as the regular season nears.