Building a 53-man roster is no small task in the NFL. It’s not always about keeping the best 53 players, but rather the right 53 players. Going long at one position group means going short at another, and the Dallas Cowboys’ running back group looks like one that can definitely go short.
Made up of Javonte Williams, Jaydon Blue, Malik Davis, Hunter Luepke, Phil Mafah, Israel Abanikanda, and Dominic Richardson, the Cowboys’ running back room is a virtual who’s who of “who?” Aside from Williams, most of the NFL would be hard-pressed to name a guy on this unproven depth chart. It puts a lot of pressure on Williams to stay healthy but also gives the Cowboys a chance to stash most of their running backs on the practice squad.
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Luepke, Dallas’ do-it-all fullback/halfback/H-back, offers running back depth as well as tight end depth. Under contract through 2027 and serving as a core special teams player, he’s a pretty safe bet to make the roster again in 2026.
Blue, a former fifth-round pick out of Texas, has enough big-play potential and college film to make him a desirable commodity on the open market. As such, it’s unlikely the Cowboys would try to stash him on the practice squad, rather preferring to secure him and his 129 career rushing yards on the final 53.
Fellow second-year man Phil Mafah doesn’t offer those same qualities. Mafah had an injury-stunted rookie year in 2025 and could likely survive a trip to the practice squad. The 234-pound running back from Clemson is a good candidate to be a gameday elevation week to week. Dallas could move him back and forth early as they sort out a possible permanent place on the 53.
Davis, the Cowboys’ incumbent RB2, looked good in spot duty last season. He’s put his pass protection issues behind him and could be the “use in case of emergency” option in 2026. It’s unlikely he’d be in much demand if released, so like Mafah, he could be a gameday elevation candidate week to week in September.
Abanikanda, a reserve/future player, and Richardson, an undrafted free agent rookie, both look like camp bodies who are longshots to make the roster. But then again, if there’s one position to come out of nowhere and surprise, it’s probably running back, so they’ll get a full shake if they can stay healthy and contribute on special teams.
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Unless the Cowboys add a veteran in the upcoming June 1 cuts or they find a last-minute castoff to steal from someone else’s practice squad, they’re situated to only carry three running backs on the final 53-man roster this September.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: No-name depth? Cowboys could be safe going super thin at RB in 2026
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