The Dallas Cowboys opened the preseason against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and it quickly became clear what rookie running back Deuce Vaughn brings to the table. The Kansas State product’s preseason performance exceeded expectations, and the sky seems to be the limit for the seventh-round draft pick. Here is how Deuce Vaughn’s steady Week 1 preseason game gives Dallas’ coaching staff some much-needed breathing room headed into 2023.
How Deuce Vaughn’s Impressive Preseason Performance Helps the Dallas Coaching Staff
Stone Cold Reliability
The preseason matchup saw good and bad plays on both sides of the football. The offense sputtered on certain drives and found their footing quickly on others. Rookie running back Deuce Vaugh did not see the field until the second half, and he made the most of his opportunity.
The same can not be said for the other Cowboys running backs.
Cooper Rush and Will Grier aired the ball out respectively throughout their playing time. While the air attack seemed rather reliable, the run game started out shaky. Both Rico Dowdle and Malik Davis got carries, but neither capitalized on their chances.
Dowdle broke one good run off but ended up fumbling at the goal line. Malik Davis struggled to find traction as none of his yards went for more than three yards. Vaughn rushed for fifty yards and showed off a spin move, solidifying him as a fan favorite. He showed great poise and ball security on each run.
Deuce Vaughn’s preseason performance gives Head Coach Mike McCarthy breathing room, as he inches closer and closer to securing the RB2 position. No other running back displayed the burst and acceleration that he did in the first preseason game.
Handfuls of Untapped Potential
Rico Dowdle was picked up in free agency in 2020, making him 25 years old. Malik Davis is only 24 in his second year, but we’ve seen sparse snaps from him. It is reasonably safe to say that the Cowboys know what Dowdle and Davis bring to the table.
Deuce Vaughn is only 21 years old, making him the youngest player on the team.
While he earned limited snaps, Vaughn’s performance stood as a testament to his untapped potential. Vaughn averaged 6.3 yards per rush on eight carries, higher than any of the other Cowboys running backs who took the field.
Dallas fans and NFL fans alike should remain excited over the emergence of Vaughn. His three receptions and four-yard touchdown on the same drive certainly boosted his chances of cementing the RB2 spot. None of the other running backs looked ready to hold that responsibility.
Deuce Vaughn’s steady preseason week 1 performance opens lots of doors for Mike McCarthy and the offense.
Changing of the Guard
There is no other way to put it than to put it plainly; The NFL’s running back problem is nerve-racking. The position was slightly dinged by contracts to players such as Ezekiel Elliot and Todd Gurley. Now, the market seems to be losing any buyers.
Deuce Vaughn is a recession-proof football player.
Notice the football player and not running back. This is because Vaughn brings far more to the table than the traditional downhill-style running back normally would. His acceleration in a straight line opens the door for receiving possibilities. He mirrors the quarterback well and has been seen throwing winning blocks in practice.
Now imagine Vaughn and Pollard in a split backfield formation. Few NFC East defenders will be able to keep track of their speed as they learn more from each other’s play style.
Deuce Vaughn’s preseason performance brought life to AT&T Stadium and to Cowboys fans alike. His unique skillset will lift a weight off the coaching staff’s shoulders, as he inches closer to securing a backup job that needed some deliberation. Look for another steady performance next weekend against Seattle.
Main Photo: Kevin Jairaj – USA Today Sports
