After parting ways with Ezekiel Elliott, it was only a matter of time before the Dallas Cowboys added a running back. Tony Pollard is going to be the starting running back, but could the electric Deuce Vaughn take over a pass-catching role after hearing his name called in the NFL Draft?
Deuce Vaughn NFL Draft Overview
Position: Running Back
Height: 5’-5”
Weight: 179 pounds
School: Kansas State University
2023 NFL Draft: Deuce Vaughn Scouting Report
They say everything is bigger in Texas, and perhaps that is true, but there is no doubting that one of the smallest players in the draft this year has the biggest chip on his shoulder. Deuce Vaughn grew up on the move due to his father being a coach but they eventually settled in Texas where he attended Cedar Ridge High School. He made varsity as a high school freshman but didn’t make it onto the field until the playoffs after his team had a comfortable lead, however he left them with a memorable performance that included a 70 yard touchdown. He continued to flash and impress throughout his high school career and while some scouts would come to see him among other players, most had already made up their mind about him prior to even seeing him play. His height drove most people away, but all that did for Vaughn was add fuel to the fire.
Deuce Vaughn came out of high school as a three-star recruit and decided to play for Kansas State at the college level. His freshman year featured him as an explosive returner on special teams averaging about 20 yards per return. Along with that he ended up with five games with over 100 yards from scrimmage. His sophomore year is when he truly began to carry the workload as his receptions and rushing attempts almost doubled from the year prior and he went over 100 scrimmage yards in every game but one, most of them purely from rushing yards. In the Taxact Texas Bowl game against LSU he ran for an impressive 146 yards and tallied four touchdowns on the day.
Now teams having film on him and he still has the disadvantage of his size, but yet he continued to impress building of the success of his sophomore year. With the exception of the Iowa state game, he once again went over 100 scrimmage yards in every single game finishing the year with 271 rushing attempts and almost 50 receptions. Despite what everyone had told him, his size was not holding him back.
Strengths
- Great contact balance, especially for a smaller running back;
- Carried a heavy workload on offense, proved to be durable despite his size;
- Flashed ability as a pass catcher out of the backfield and in the slot;
- Can cut on a dime, great footwork;
- Demonstrated explosiveness as a return specialist his freshman year;
- Has the breakaway speed to make it to the second level and take it to the house on any play.
Weaknesses
- Smaller than most at the position, will likely be the smallest player on the field on any given play;
- Concerns in pass blocking, may lose one on one matchups with a blitzer;
- Backfield vision leaves room to improve;
- Limited experience in the return role which is likely where he will make his debut;
- Size can lead some to believe he will be injury prone.
NFL Comparison: A Harder Hitting Darren Sproles
Teams With A Need: Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams
Projection: Fourth Round
Bottom Line on Deuce Vaughn
If Deuce Vaughn was five inches taller, there’s no doubt in my mind that he would be in the conversation for the best running back in this draft. His skill set alone could be a cheat code if he is paired with the right offensive mind that understands how to use him. Most unfortunately will have their mind made up on him just by seeing what his height is on a piece of paper. Vaughn, however, isn’t ignorant of this, he has turned this perceived weakness into his greatest strength. Everything that he has ever wanted he has had to work for, he has never let that chip leave his shoulder. He wasn’t given the “ideal” football sized body so everything he does, he has to do it that much better than his peers to not give anyone the excuse to write him off for his size. The intangibles for him alone are more than enough for a team to take a swing on him. Vaughn is someone with an underdog mentality who is going to prove himself daily and that makes him an essential part of any locker room.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
