Dallas Cowboys' second-year running back Deuce Vaughn shouldn't be considered a lock to make the team's 53-man roster in 2024 after being a healthy scratch for most of his rookie season as a sixth-round draft pick.
Earlier in the offseason, I named him a potential surprise roster cut candidate in a league-wide article here at A to Z Sports. However, Vaughn still made my two 53-man roster projections , including one just before training camp commenced.
Fast forward to today: I wouldn't include Vaughn in a projection today. That's mostly because of what Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy recently said about the position group, particularly discussing veteran Royce Freeman. Let's break it down.
Cowboys will likely carry four running backs
Keep in mind roster construction in this league largely revolves around a simple numbers game: Each team knows it's gotta carry at least X amount of players at each position and then they've got to decide where to go long and short depending on scheme needs and depth. Based on the standard practice around the league and the way McCarthy has done things since taking over, the Cowboys will likely settle at four backs, including a fullback as McCarthy has talked about increasing the usage of 21 personnel looks (two running backs on the field).
I believe the top three backs that are likeliest to make the cut are fairly obvious: Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, and Hunter Luepke (FB). The first two are the most proven backs on the team and the likeliest options to spearhead a running back committee. Elliott will likely be the best power back on the team with Dowdle being more explosive than this version of Zeke. The Cowboys have publicly expressed themselves highly.
As for Luepke, the second-year fullback didn't pile up tons of highlights but reports out of training camp indicate he's improving and I don't see the Cowboys moving on from their fullback based on the reps he's getting at Oxnard and the fact that the staff reportedly wants two backs on the field.
So with our assumption of Dowdle, Zeke, and Luepke being locks, things virtually leave one spot "up for grabs," which should land among one of these four:
- Snoop Conner
- Deuce Vaughn
- Royce Freeman
- Nathan Peat (UDFA rookie)
While Vaughn could win that battle through his unique play-making ability and his upside, it sounds like a particular player on that list is quickly seeing his stock soar.
Royce Freeman seems to have the upper hand on Deuce Vaughn
On Wednesday, Mike McCarthy was asked about the running backs and had significant praise for Freeman, who was signed in March as a free agent. Specifically, the Cowboys head coach mentioned the veteran was standing out in special teams and pass protection, two very highly valuable aspects for McCarthy:
"Royce is just a vet that seems very very comfortable in our system has picked it up schematically and has a really good understanding particularly in the in the protection part. He does everything well, (we) knew him is a runner but when you see running backs when the bullets are really flying and the pass protection part of it, the declaration, the adjustments, all that, I think it's been excellent.
"(Freeman has) got very good hands, has a very high understanding of the game and and also has a chance to be one of our primary players on special teams so um he's a really good fit for us." - Mike McCarthy
Vaughn, on the other hand, is limited in both these areas. As a blocker, he struggled as a rookie and not just because of the size but vision. Particularly in the New England Patriots game early in the year, Vaughn missed significant assignments in pass pro.
Additionally, as a special teamer, he needs to earn a spot as a returner as he'd be very limited anywhere else. The Cowboys already have KaVontae Turpin, meaning Vaughn would mostly be limited to share kickoff duties with him. That could explain why the coaching staff is tasking Vaughn with working at WR as they try to evaluate how much value he can provide.
He still has a shot at making the team, after all, the Cowboys bet on him because of his unique play-making style. But it will be an uphill battle with the rise of Freeman, who is among the players whose stocks have raised the most in camp.
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