Jaydon Blue envisions his NFL debut as he returns from an ankle injury, and the Cowboys are letting the rookie ramp up for a preseason showdown with the Falcons. He’s been visualizing the moment on the sideline, and with full-pads practice this week, Dallas CBT staff have grown more confident he’ll play Friday. Blue was already getting first-team reps before his injury, a sign the coaching staff believes he can contribute once healthy.

Dallas’ backfield is crowded and rotating, with Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders, Phil Mafah, Deuce Vaughn and Malik Davis handling the bulk of carries in the early games. Blue is eager to show what he can do in game action, insisting there are no limitations. His return could add another dynamic element to an already-competitive room, especially if he earns a role on early downs or as a pass-catching option in the screen game.

Overall, the plan is to evaluate his ceiling in the preseason finale while maintaining caution around workload. A productive showing could accelerate a path to meaningful snaps, but the logjam at running back will require consistent and standout play from Blue to unlock a regular-season role.

The Cowboys’ 2025 backfield depth chart remains one of the most intriguing storylines in training camp, even after OTA sessions and preseason action. Miles Sanders, Javonte Williams, Jaydon Blue, Deuce Vaughn, Hunter Luepke, Phil Mafah, and Malik Davis have all flashed in Oxnard, with Williams and Davis flashing on multiple occasions and Blue drawing standout attention from coaches and fans alike. Brian Schottenheimer’s measured praise for Javonte Williams — refusing to name a starter while signaling he’s “having a hell of a camp” — keeps the guessing game alive about who will lead Dallas’ ground game. If Sanders and Blue suit up in the second preseason game against Baltimore, evaluators will be watching for who takes control of the early-down work, pass-catching opportunities, and red-zone touches. The room’s versatility could yield a committee that leans toward a hot-hand approach, with Williams’ bruising style and Williams’ pass-catching upside offering different paths to fantasy value. For fantasy enthusiasts, the evolving depth chart means frequent re-evaluations, especially as health and matchup dynamics shift through August and into Week 1.

Dallas’ Oxnard camp spotlighted a Cowboys attack morphing into a higher-pace, more competitive unit. George Pickens flashed as a boundary-realm playmaker opposite CeeDee Lamb, even as Dak Prescott orchestrated a crisp, productive sequence through team drills. Jake Ferguson drew red-zone looks with consistency, while the backfield featured a mix of Miles Sanders’ power and Deuce Vaughn’s speed, backed by Mafah’s complementary role. On defense, Micah Parsons anchored the edge and Damone Clark showed growing run-stopping discipline. The camp hints at a more dynamic aerial approach and a deeper, plug-’n-play roster that could boost fantasy upside for multiple DAL pass-catchers and the backfield trio.

Phil Mafah logged his first real NFL action in the Cowboys' 31-21 preseason loss to the Rams at SoFi, carrying 10 times for 36 yards as Deuce Vaughn opened the night. Mafah shook off a jittery start and flashed a bruising, compact running style with solid vision between tackles.

The Cowboys used Mafah on a pitch-count, signaling a cautious ramp in August. Mafah's late burst hints at a potential bigger role as preseason unfolds, especially if Vaughn remains in a time-share and the team needs depth behind the likely starter. Mafah's emotional pregame moment underscored his journey from youth ball to the NFL, a narrative that fuels intrigue in deeper fantasy formats.

With Vaughn in the mix and a measured early workload, Mafah could become a late-round roster sleeper if Dallas eases into a committee backfield. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should monitor his progression in subsequent exhibitions and the final cut decisions that will shape the Cowboys’ all-important depth chart.

Dallas opens its preseason schedule against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium with a sharpened focus on the run game. Mafah, the Cowboys’ rookie power back, carries a heavy workload as Miles Sanders, Jaydon Blue, and Deuce Vaughn nurse injuries, and Javonte Williams sits the game out. The buzz in practice has turned into a tangible opportunity, and the coaching staff has signaled Mafah could be a foundational piece if he can translate carries, vision and physicality to game action. The mission is simple: uphold the standard in the backfield and prove he belongs in the hotly contested depth chart as the season nears.

Dallas sees Mafah as a potential three-down contributor, with Luepke and possibly Malik Davis mixing in. Coach Brian Schottenheimer even hinted that Blue and Mafah showed starter-forward potential in the draft, so Saturday becomes Mafah’s stage to show that the trust is warranted. For fantasy minds, Mafah’s ability to survive contact, pick up blitzes, and contribute in the passing game will dictate early-season snaps and a possible breakout role if injuries linger. Mafah’s mindset remains relentless: protect the standard, earn the carries, and seize his moment against the Rams.