Cowboys Rookie Update: Week 3
This Dallas Cowboys team has 10 rookies that made the 53-man roster out of training camp, with another three landing on injured reserve. From the Cowboys top overall pick to the undrafted guys that impressed, here is how the class of 2023 stacks up after two weeks of their first NFL season.
Mazi Smith, DT, Rd. 1: Smith, who had problems with speed off the ball at the snap through training camp, has been more observer than participant this season, playing just 28 of a possible 119 snaps at defensive tackle. With the solid play of Jonathan Hankins, and the breakout start to the season for Osa Odighizuwa, the Cowboys have the chance to be patient with Smith.
Luke Schoonmaker, TE, Rd. 2: Third on the depth chart coming in, the numbers show that is where he still lives despite his snaps almost doubling from 17 in Week 1 to 31 last week against the Jets. He did haul in his first career TD, a 1-yard pass from Dak Prescott in the second quarter last week. He is already a vital piece of the offense, and you should expect his role to grow week by week.
DeMarvion Overshown, LB, Rd. 3: He has been moved to season-ending Injured Reserve with a torn anterior cruciate ligament of the left knee. He will be in the linebacker mix in 2024.
Viliami Fehoko Jr., DE, Rd. 4: Fehoko was impressive enough to make the roster in training camp, but not enough to earn a snap during the first two weeks of the season. He was listed on the 53 for each game, but as the 10th defensive lineman on the roster it may be tough for him to see playing time without an injury.
Asim Richards, OT, Rd. 5: Richards earned one of the backup tackle spots coming out of training camp because of injuries to Josh Ball and Matt Waletzko. Richards may not be ready yet, considering he got into just 9 plays in the blowout win over the Giants. That fell to just five snaps against the Jets. The bright spot is that he played six snaps in Week 2 on Special Teams. That might be his best chance at playing time going forward.
Eric Scott Jr., CB, Rd. 6: Scott has yet to take a snap this season, while being listed as the primary backup for Stephon Gilmore. Unless the Cowboys suffer another injury in the defensive backfield, I would not expect to see Scott getting primary snaps until he can impress coaches in practice. He is lucky to be on the roster since he also hasn’t played a down of special teams.
Duece Vaughn, RB, Rd. 6: Vaughn is definitely the most electrifying of the Cowboys draft picks and has seen the second-most playing time amongst the group with 17 offensive snaps, behind only Schoonmaker. He has carried the ball nine times for 24 yards and caught three passes for 16 yards in the two games this season. He also had one snap on special teams in each game. Expect his usage to rise as the Cowboys offensive coaches continue to come up with new ways to take advantage of his unique skill set.
Jalen Brooks, WR, Rd. 7: After sitting the bench against the Giants, Brooks got 28 snaps – 15 on offense and 13 on special teams – in the win over the Jets last Sunday. Barring an injury to someone ahead of him on the depth chart, I would not expect that many snaps on offense most Sundays, but his special teams play will be where he can earn his stripes.
T.J. Bass, OG, UDFA: Bass has been such a surprise for the Cowboys, that he has passed Asim Richards on the depth chart already. Backing up RG Chuma Edoga, Bass replaced him after an injury in Week 1 for nine plays. Bass replaced him again after an injury midway through Week 2 and ended up playing 42 offensive snaps, and he did it seamlessly. He did get overpowered a few times by the Jets Quinnen Williams, but what opponent hasn’t. So far this season, he has no penalties, and he has not been credited with giving up a sack. He’s also contributed another 13 snaps on special teams. He has been the most valuable addition to the team this season, and he wasn’t even drafted.
Hunter Luepke, FB, UDFA: The fullback nobody knew the Cowboys needed, but the coaching staff. The Cowboys new offensive staff have used a formation with a fullback just 22 times this season, but 18 of those came against the Jets. Luepke hasn’t carried the ball or made a catch, but it is only a matter of time. While waiting for that opportunity, he has been a crucial piece of the special teams unit. He played half of the ST snaps against the Giants, and another 16 plays vs. the Jets.
Brandon Aubrey, K, UDFA: After a shaky first kick that he rushed, Aubrey has knocked through 13 straight – including going seven for seven on field goals, with a long of 55. The former soccer star at Notre Dame has been able to quickly acclimate his leg and nerves to the NFL. All his kickoffs have been touchbacks, so it appears, for now, that the Cowboys have found their kicker. Could be a great find for a team that has struggled to find a kicker that can stick around.
BELOW THE 53-MAN?
Cowboys Practice Squad: Tyron Billy-Johnson, WR; Earl Bostick, OT; Josh Butler, CB; Jalen C Cropper, WR; Malik Davis, RB; Princeton Fant, TE; C.J. Goodwin, CB; Sean Harlow, OC; Brock Hoffman, OC; Malik Jefferson, LB; Durrell Johnson, DE; Sean McKeon, TE; Willington Previlon, DL; Sheldrick Redwine, DB; Alex Taylor-Prioleau, OT; Tyrus Wheat, LB.
Cowboys Injured Reserve: Josh Ball, OT; David Durden, WR; DeMarvion Overshown, LB; John Stephens, TE; Matt Waletzko, OT; Nahshon Wright, CB.