Dallas, TX
Cowboys NFL Draft 2025: Dallas selects Phil Mafah, RB, Clemson, pick 239
With the 239th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys selected RB Phil Mafah.
The Cowboys needed running backs, so they took another one in the draft.
A scouting report:
Mafah runs hard and keeps the carry on track. He is big and tight-hipped with a linear running style that gathers momentum as the run proceeds. He’s tough but clunky as an interior runner with a lack of vision and wiggle to find additional yards if there isn’t a wide-open lane. Mafah might need to prove himself on special teams to offer enough roster flexibility to make it as an RB3.
Strengths
Totes the rock in a linebacker-like frame.
Keeps runs on their track and rarely gets caught trying to do too much.
Follows blocks and steers them into contact before cutting.
Heavy behind his pads and wears tacklers down.
Accelerates through contact as a run finisher.
Weaknesses
Lacks initial quickness to get the run kicked off.
Tight-hipped with limited quickness in his cuts.
Unable to side-step defenders in smaller spaces.
Transmission lacks acceleration and gear shifts.
Doesn’t offer much in the passing game.
Cowboys 2025 draft picks:
- Round 1, pick 12 – G Tyler Booker (Alabama)
- Round 2, pick 44 – DE Donovan Ezeiruaku (Boston College)
- Round 3, pick 76 – CB Shavon Revel (East Carolina)
- Round 5, pick 149 – RB Jaydon Blue (Texas)
- Round 5, pick 152 – LB Shemar James (Florida)
- Round 6, pick 204 – OL Ajani Cornelius (Oregon)
- Round 7, pick 217 – DT Jay Toia (UCLA)
- Round 7, pick 239 – RB Phil Mafah (Clemson)
- Round 7, pick 247
Cowboys needs:
WR: The Cowboys need an offensive complement to CeeDee Lamb with Brandin Cooks leaving in free agency.
RB: The additions of Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders won’t stop the team from searching for a potential RB1 in this draft.
CB: Trevon Diggs’ injury, Jourdan Lewis’ departure in free agency, and DaRon Bland becoming a free agent next season means the team needs help. The current depth is lackluster.
DT: The 1-tech spot at the moment is Mazi Smith and not much else. Dallas should certainly look to add a draft prospect here.
OL: The Cowboys have most of the line filled in, but there is a chance they want a young player to compete for the right guard position.
LB: The Cowboys made some additions in the offseason to fill a thin position, but they could use another talented young player to put in the mix.