Although the Dallas Cowboys run game struggled at the start of the season, it managed to come to life towards the end. Rico Dowdle recently hit a career-high 1,000-yard rushing season. With the recent exit of Ezekiel Elliott, who had a difficult season, it seems like the perfect time for Deuce Vaughn to get a whack at the helm.
This Cowboys 2023 Draft Pick Has a Great Opportunity in Week 18
A Quiet 2024 Season for Deuce Vaughn
At the beginning of the season, the Cowboys felt that they had a very capable backfield. They’d been reunited with Elliott, kept an opportunity with Dowdle, and still had their quicker running back in Vaughn. However, switching running backs every single play made for a difficult transition. Nobody could get warm. Everybody’s statistics were jagged. No clear winner arose.
Yet, after the injury to Dak Prescott mid-season, Dowdle finally hit his stride. Because of this, Vaughn faced the practice squad as injuries continued to pile up and more players appeared to be viable options. This season, Vaughn only played in 6 games and managed 11 carries for 33 yards. He’s capable of more, but because of circumstances, he’s never been allowed to prove himself.
Why There’s a Chance for Vaughn to Hit the Field
The Dallas Cowboys are out of playoff position. They are without their star wide receiver, CeeDee Lamb, for the final game of the season. And although it’s still unlikely that Trey Lance gets an opportunity to play at quarterback, there is a chance for Vaughn. The biggest reason comes down to Dowdle already surpassing 1,000 yards. If the Cowboys plan on bringing him back next year, then they might want to rest him and maintain his health.
Related Post
Elliott’s leaving allowed the Cowboys to elevate Vaughn. After weeks of being inactive, he’s finally on the roster. With literally nothing at stake for the team, this would be the most ideal time to evaluate what they have with Vaughn. If anything, the Cowboys might not keep him. He can use this as an opportunity to put out more tape for other teams. Although small, at only 5’ 6”, Vaughn is fast and twitchy. When given the space and the setup, he’s usually able to maximize space.
At the beginning of the season when Vaughn was given opportunities, it was with an offensive line that struggled to figure out their presence. Now, the strength of the line shines brightly. They’ve managed to create a valuable rushing offense for Dowdle and could carry that over for Vaughn.
The Final Game of the Season
This could be the final game in which Vaughn wears a Cowboys star. His unique size and frame mean that he requires a different setup than the kind of back the Cowboys are used to. It makes using him difficult, which is why they haven’t. The Cowboys are likely to draft a running back that better suits their style. But they could still keep Vaughn if he shows he has value and that they can use him.
If the Cowboys are going to let Vaughn go anyway, they might as well see what he’s got. And with the 2024 season coming to a close on Sunday, January 5, there’s no better time than the present.
Main Photo: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
