Cowboys’ Decisions Ranked Among Biggest Surprises and Shocks From NFL Roster Cuts

The Dallas Cowboys made one of the more surprising decisions during the NFL’s final round of roster cuts, moving on from running backs Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah. The two young players entered the offseason competing for a larger role, but neither survived the battle for a place behind the team’s top option.

>Blue and Mafah were part of a three-way competition with Malik Davis for the No. 2 running back job. Dallas ultimately chose Davis, leaving the two younger ball carriers without roster spots and creating a notable shakeup in a position group that appeared unsettled throughout the offseason.

Aug 22, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Teammates celebrate with Dallas Cowboys running back Jaydon Blue (34) after he scores a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-Imagn ImagesBlue’s release was particularly surprising because the Cowboys selected him in the fifth round of the 2025 draft. The former Texas standout spent only one season with the organization, and his departure ended a short tenure that began with expectations he could eventually develop into a meaningful contributor.

>Mafah also entered the league with draft pedigree, though Dallas invested less in him as a seventh-round selection. His rookie season included limited opportunities, producing 18 rushing yards and a touchdown on five carries while adding two receptions for 11 yards, but those flashes were not enough to secure his return.

NFL Analysis Names Dallas Cowboys’ Latest Roster Cuts as the Most SurprisingOct 12, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Head coach Brian Schottenheimer reacts during warm ups prior the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cory Knowlton-Imagn ImagesDallas’s decision to let Blue and Mafah go was named as the most surprising roster cuts for the upcoming NFL season. This is detailed more in an analysis by Moe Moton for Bleacher Report.

Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah competed with Malik Davis for the No. 2 running back position. The young ball-carriers lost the battle and their roster spots.

>The Athletic’s Dane Brugler noted that Blue had “character concerns” in his pre-draft evaluation coming out of Texas. The Cowboys waived the 2025 fifth-round pick after one season.

>Dallas selected Mafah in the seventh round of the same draft. He recorded two receptions for 11 yards in addition to five rush attempts for 18 yards and a touchdown last season.

>According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, Dallas also waived Israel Abanikanda.

>The Cowboys will likely add multiple running backs to their practice squad. Still, they need Javonte Williams to stay healthy. Davis has been solid for fill-in duty, but he’s logged just 90 carries for 411 yards and three touchdowns in four seasons.

The Cowboys also moved on from Israel Abanikanda, leaving the running back room considerably thinner behind Javonte Williams and Davis. The team could replenish its depth through the practice squad, although the decisions place greater importance on keeping Williams healthy throughout the season.

>Dallas clearly believes Davis provides the most dependable option among the players competing for the backup role, even with his relatively limited career workload. The cuts of Blue and Mafah may rank among the biggest shocks of roster reduction day, but they also reveal how quickly opportunity can disappear when a team decides its immediate needs outweigh the potential of young players.

Related contentKansas City Chiefs Not in the Top 10 on ESPN’s NFL Power Rankings • >NFL Power Rankings: Where Do the Los Angeles Rams Rank? • >AFC East Team Ranked Worst WR Room Ahead of 2026 NFL Season • >Dallas Cowboys’ WRs Ranked the Best in NFL Ahead of 2026 SeasonThe post Cowboys’ Decisions Ranked Among Biggest Surprises and Shocks From NFL Roster Cuts appeared first on Gridiron Heroics.