Dallas Cowboys and Kansas State fans alike rejoiced as the team selected Deuce Vaughn in the sixth round of the 2o23 NFL Draft. His small frame but unmatched shiftiness reminds many NFL fans of Darren Sproles’ small-but-stout presence. He joined an NFL team with a crowded running back room, but that might not be the case anymore.
Deuce Vaughn’s NFL chance could come as soon as the first quarter of Week 1, and here’s why.
Deuce Vaughn’s Chance May Come Sooner than later
Ronald Jones’ Mistake
No team in the NFL has a 100% success rate with their free-agent pickups every year. Last year, James Washington contributed little to nothing. The year before that, Gerald McCoy left the team as fast as he joined it. This year, Ronald Jones bears the unfortunate title. Jones was suspended for the first two games of the 2023 season for violating the NFL’s PED (performance-enhancing drug) policy. The drug test failed due to Jones’ heart medicine being discovered in his bloodstream. While the NFL’s decision might be disappointing, Jones lost the appeal and will now sit out the first two games.
Jones was the original backup to Tony Pollard, but it looks like that might not be the case anymore.
The Cowboys face the Giants and Jets in the first two weeks. The Giants finished the 2022 season ranked 27th in the NFL in run defense, and the Jets finished tenth. Vaughn’s chance may come sooner than later if he has a good preseason. There is a decent chance that he will earn himself some playing time in the first two weeks of the season.
Deuce Vaughn’s NFL chance relies mostly on his talent, but more so on his availability.
Tony Pollard’s Situation
With the departure of Ezekiel Elliott, Tony Pollard will finally get his chance to be the workhorse. Pollard can be used as an every-down back, and he has untapped potential in the passing game. The extension talks have been brewing ever since his second year.
But money talks louder.
Pollard and Dallas did not reach a long-term deal by the 4:00 p.m. deadline on July 17th. The news is not exactly surprising, as Pollard is coming off of an ankle injury against the 49ers. The running back market isn’t in the best shape it has ever been in, either. Pollard will likely play on the franchise tag during the 2023 season. There is always the possibility of a holdout or midseason trade, so Dallas must plan for the worst-case scenario.
Vaughn must get comfortable in the offensive system sooner than later. Putting him at RB2 for the first two weeks of the season makes sense for both sides.
Zeke is Gone for Good
The former Cowboys running back remains beloved by Dallas fans, but it is very unlikely that he will be returning.
Unfortunately for Ezekiel Elliott, his yards per carry dwindled as his salary spiraled up. He still has some left in the tank, but Stephen Jones made an emphasis on the young guys taking reps. This means the likes of Malik Davis and Vaughn will see the field rather than Elliott. The battle of course remains between Vaughn and Davis.
Who’s winning this one?
It’s unclear what the exact vision the Cowboys have for Malik Davis is. He showed great promise against Tennessee and Indianapolis in his limited playing time. He runs downhill and has average field vision.
Deuce Vaughn does everything that Davis does but better. Vaughn has good field vision and only makes cuts when necessary. He thrives off of breaking big runs on plays designed to just get the first down. He and Ezekiel Elliott are nearly polar opposites; One is a big-body workhorse that thrives at the goal line, and the other is a Darren Sproles lookalike who thrives on the long runs.
Deuce Vaughn’s NFL chance might come sooner than later pending the recent roster changes. No matter when he sees the turf for the first time, count on him to make the most of his opportunity.
Main Image: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
