Cowboys RB2 Battle: Malik Davis Fighting for Survival in Arizona
The Dallas Cowboys’ Surprise Running Back: Why Malik Davis Might Be the Real Deal
What’s Going On with the Cowboys’ Running Backs?
Imagine a football team is like a kitchen. You have your head chef (the starter), your sous chefs (the backups), and a few new interns everyone is excited about. Right now, the Dallas Cowboys’ kitchen is getting interesting because one of the "quiet" chefs—Malik Davis—is suddenly cooking up something special.
Most of the talk this offseason was about two young, flashy interns: Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah. But heading into the second preseason game, everyone is suddenly asking: "Wait, what about Malik Davis?"
Who Is Malik Davis? (The "Quiet Professional")
Think of Malik Davis as that coworker who doesn’t talk much, never complains, but always gets the job done perfectly.
| Detail | What It Means (ELI5) |
|---|---|
| How he got here | Signed as a UDFA (Undrafted Free Agent) in 2022. That means no team picked him in the big draft; he just walked in and asked for a tryout. |
| College | University of Florida. |
| NFL Journey | It’s been a rollercoaster: made the team → cut → practice squad → cut again → practice squad → finally got a real shot. |
| Superpower | Consistency. He doesn’t do the "wow" plays often, but he almost never makes mistakes. He gets you 4–5 yards every single time. |
IMPORTANT: WHAT IS A "PRACTICE SQUAD"?
Think of it as the JV (Junior Varsity) team. You practice with the pros, learn the playbook, and stay ready—but you don’t play in real games unless the main team calls you up. Davis spent two full years (2023 & 2024) here.
The "Flashy" Competition: Jaydon Blue & Phil Mafah
Before we talk about why Davis is winning, let’s meet the guys he’s competing against for the RB2 spot (the #2 Running Back behind starter Javonte Williams).
Jaydon Blue
- Style: The "Home Run Hitter." Fast, elusive, can turn a small hole into a touchdown.
- Vibe: The exciting new toy everyone wants to play with.
- Current Status: Injured/Limited in practice.
Phil Mafah
- Style: The "Bulldozer." Big, strong, runs through people (like Marshawn Lynch).
- Vibe: The power tool you bring out for short-yardage situations.
- Current Status: Injured/Limited in practice.
KEY POINT: Because both Blue and Mafah are hurt, they can’t practice or play in the preseason games. In football, if you can’t practice, you can’t prove you deserve the spot.
Why Is Everyone Talking About Davis Right Now?
It’s simple: Opportunity + Preparation = Success.
The Timeline of His Big Chance
- Training Camp Starts (Oxnard, CA): Davis is an "afterthought." Writers and fans barely mention him.
- The Injuries Hit: Blue and Mafah get nicked up. They sit out practices.
- Davis Steps In: He takes all the extra reps with the 1st and 2nd team offense.
- Preseason Game #2 (vs. Cardinals): With Blue and Mafah likely sitting out, Davis gets the ball… a lot.
- He Produces: He runs hard, holds onto the ball, moves the chains. Coaches notice.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Davis’s Career Stats
Here is the "report card" for Malik Davis whenever he actually gets on the field.
2022 Season (Rookie Year – 12 Games)
- Carries: 38
- Yards: 161
- Yards Per Carry: 4.2 (Solid)
- Touchdowns: 1
2025 Season (The "Breakout" – 10 Games)
Wait—the article mentions 2025 stats during the 2025 preseason. This likely refers to his stats from the previous regular season (2024) or a projection. We’ll label it as "Most Recent Extended Action."
- Carries: 52
- Yards: 250
- Yards Per Carry: 4.8 (Very Good!)
- Touchdowns: 2
THE TREND: His efficiency went up (4.2 → 4.8 yards/carry) when he got more chances. That is exactly what coaches dream of seeing.
What Happens Next? (The Road to the 53-Man Roster)
The NFL season hasn’t started yet. Here is the checklist for Davis to make the final team:
The "Make the Team" Checklist
- ☐ Stay Healthy: He is getting a heavy workload in the next preseason game. He must avoid injury.
- ☐ Ball Security: Zero fumbles. That is the #1 way a backup loses his job.
- ☐ Pass Protection: He has to prove he can block blitzing linebackers to protect the quarterback (Dak Prescott).
- ☐ Special Teams: Can he cover kicks? That is often the tiebreaker for the last roster spot.
- ☐ Outplay Israel Abanikanda: He’s the other healthy back getting reps. Davis has to be better.
Summary: The Underdog Story We’re All Rooting For
- The Narrative: Flashy rookies (Blue, Mafah) were supposed to win the backup job.
- The Twist: Injuries opened the door for the "old reliable" veteran (Davis).
- The Evidence: Davis has better career efficiency (4.8 YPC) than the rookies have shown, knows the offense perfectly after 3 years in the system, and never fumbles.
- The Verdict: With two preseason games left, Malik Davis has the inside track to not only make the 53-man roster but to be the RB2 behind Javonte Williams on Week 1.
BOTTOM LINE: In the NFL, "Availability is the best ability." Blue and Mafah are unavailable. Davis is available, reliable, and productive. Hard to argue with that.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
What does "RB2" mean?
RB2 stands for Running Back 2. The RB1 (Javonte Williams) starts the game and gets the most carries. The RB2 comes in to give the starter a rest, plays on 3rd downs (passing situations), or steps in if the starter gets hurt. It’s a real job with real playing time.
What is a "UDFA"?
Undrafted Free Agent. Every year, ~250 players get drafted. Hundreds more don’t. Those players become UDFAs—they can sign with any team that wants them for a small contract. It’s the hardest path to an NFL roster.
Why do preseason games matter if they don’t count?
They don’t count for the standings, but they count for jobs. For guys like Davis (bubble players), preseason is their final exam. It’s the only time they get hit by real opponents in real game speed. Coaches watch the film to decide who makes the final 53.
What happens to Blue and Mafah if they don’t win RB2?
They likely go to the Practice Squad (if they clear waivers). Since they are rookies/2nd-year players, other teams usually won’t claim them off waivers. They stay with Dallas, develop, and try again next year.
Who is Israel Abanikanda?
He’s another running back on the roster (claimed off waivers from the Jets). He is Davis’s direct competition right now for those preseason carries and the final roster spot. May the best man win!