Like many teams around the league, the Cowboys sent a strong message in free agency. However, they did not add a large number of players or keep most of their own players. What is clear for the Cowboys is that they are willing to give opportunities to the young players on the team.
There are a number of players on this roster who are still on their rookie contracts but have yet to have a breakout season. Will there be one this year too? The Cowboys can only hope, especially considering they signed just two players in free agency and only have six picks in the NFL Draft later this month.
Therefore, the Cowboys will have to rely on some past draft and free agent signings to fill out this roster.
Today we continue our series with running back Deuce Vaughn.
- name: deuce vaughn
- position: run back
- experience: 2n.d. Year
- Games played/started: 7/0
- Remaining years of contract: 3
- how to get: 6th Round pick, 2023 (Kansas State)
- Key statistics: In the regular season, he had 30 touches for just 80 yards from scrimmage (40 rushing, 40 receiving).
past: 2023 was a season full of ups and downs for Bourne. It was almost in that order. The emotional draft-day story, when his father, Chris Bourne, a longtime Cowboys scout, was able to call him to announce the sixth-round selection is part of Warroom's history. It will be remembered as one of the most memorable moments. Bourne was impressive in the preseason, scoring two touchdowns in limited action and had a few other stellar highlights, leading many Cowboys fans to believe they were a draft steal. I wondered if I had succeeded. As it turned out, Vaughn had no impact during the regular season. He appeared in seven games but only gained 80 yards from scrimmage. He rushed the ball 23 times for 40 yards and also caught seven passes for 40 yards. Considering his lack of experience on special teams and the fact that he didn't get consistent snaps on offense, it wasn't easy to get him into the game.
the current: The Cowboys aren't giving up on Bourne. Sure, he didn't produce at a high level, but that just meant he would be a great fit with the rest of the 2023 draft class. Needless to say, the final rookie class, from Madge Smith to Schoonmaker to sixth-rounder Vaughn, could improve on last year's performance. Vaughn actually played in seven games, which is probably more than half of the class. This doesn't mean he's ahead of his time, it just means he shouldn't be fired for something Bourne didn't do. And now the running back room isn't what it used to be. A lot will depend on who gets the ball. Vaughn needs to show he can be a dynamic player in the passing game, but that also means he needs to be willing and able to stop blitzes. However, the door is open to all young backs considering Royce Freeman and Rico Doodle are the only experienced backs on the team at the moment. Let's see if Vaughn can take advantage of that.
future: There's nothing more important than a gift to players like Vaughn. A sixth-round pick is unlikely to keep the team this way. And a player his size takes longer shots than anyone who has ever played in the NFL. When you put those two together, he still has a long chance of becoming a quality running back in this league. But nothing has ever held him back, and it never will. Like last year, Vaughn will need to take advantage of the available preseason snaps and perhaps close out the game with a return game at Cavonte Turpin, where the Cowboys may consider a new look with the new return rule. . Either way, Bourne has to find a way to stand out even when the deck is against him.
