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Malik Davis is assumed to have done enough to remain the backup running back behind starter Javonte Williams, though the position remains unsettled with competition from Jayden Blue, Phil Mafah, and Israel Abanikanda.

Davis has earned more first-team work and logged 72% of first-quarter snaps in the Cowboys' second preseason game, positioning him as the better handcuff to Javonte Williams compared to Jaydon Blue.

Malik Davis won the RB2 job for Dallas according to Cowboys reporters after the preseason. Last season, Davis logged 147 snaps in Weeks 9-17 while Jaydon Blue played zero offensive snaps in that span, including 31 pass-blocking snaps for Davis versus six for Blue, establishing Davis as the clear backup.

Malik Davis has entered Unknown Upside. Well's rankings as a contingent upside back for Dallas. With Phil Mafa projected as a cut candidate, Davis and Jaden Blue are expected to compete for the primary backup role.

Malik Davis is taking over the RB2 role from Jaden Blue in the Cowboys backfield. In preseason Week 2, Davis played 13 of 15 snaps in the first two drives before resting for all but one pass snap the rest of the game, catching a touchdown and averaging 5.8 yards per carry. Ian Hartitz notes Davis would be the leader in the Dallas running back committee if Javante Williams goes down, though it would likely be a committee situation rather than a clear workhorse role.

Davis has surpassed Jaydon Blue as the favored RB2 to back up Javonte Williams, replacing Phil Mafah on the 53-man roster projection after a strong preseason showing.

Emerged as the new leader in the Cowboys RB2 backfield competition; handled 13 of 15 snaps on the first two drives, caught a touchdown on drive one, and averaged a crisp 5.8 yards per carry; the 27-year-old veteran is now the odds-on favorite for pure handcuff duties behind Javonte Williams.

Malik Davis started over Jaydon Blue against the Cardinals on Saturday, suggesting he has moved ahead of Blue in the Cowboys' backup RB depth chart behind Javonte Williams.

Davis got the start after Jaydon Blue had the honor the week before. Davis had runs of 3, 5, 13 and 4 yards on the opening drive, coming out in favor of Blue after taking carries on three straight plays. He then took all three snaps on the second drive with a four-yard carry and an eight-yard TD catch. Davis ultimately played 14 snaps compared to 27 for Blue. That's a good sign for Davis, showing value in the run and receiving game along with pass protection.

Davis garnered three votes as an honorable mention in the 2026 Camp MVP voting, appearing on multiple sources' standout lists and earning recognition as a best story candidate.

Malik Davis is firmly established as the RB2 on his team's depth chart, with Davis Mattek noting he is locked into that role.

Davis gained confidence from the coaching staff as a legitimate RB2 candidate after a strong performance against Arizona. Beyond his 5 carries, Davis impressed in pass-game work—catching a touchdown on a scramble drill and executing a key blitz pickup that set up a subsequent touchdown. His versatility in multiple phases and quick burst ability between the tackles with above-average power position him as a serious contender for the backup role.

Davis again looked good in his limited opportunities with 5 carries, and impressed beyond the run game by catching a touchdown on a scramble drill from Milton on third and goal in the red zone, and executing a key blitz pickup on Camden Brown's big gain that set up Milton's QB draw touchdown. The source notes Davis 'gained even more confidence from the coaching staff as a legitimate candidate to be RB2,' suggesting elevated role consideration.

Malik Davis has secured the RB2 role for the Dallas Cowboys; the source compares his roster persistence to Jourdan Lewis, noting that 'if you give him an inch he is going to make the absolute most with it' and expresses strong conviction: 'I want that dude on my team.'

The source identifies Davis as a Stock Up player and declares 'Ladies and gentlemen, we have found the RB2 for the Dallas Cowboys.' The source compares Davis to Jourdan Lewis in terms of roster persistence — 'how he is just hanging around the roster and refuses to let the team move on from him.' The source notes that while some of Davis' roster security stems from other RB2 candidates not stepping up, 'the point is that if you give him an inch he is going ot make the absolute most with it,' with the source expressing strong conviction: 'I want that dude on my team.'