Cowboys’ undrafted rookies continue to shine

Brandon Aubrey continues to be “Aubreymatic” in the kicking game for the Cowboys. T.J. Bass played a solid game as a reserve offensive lineman.

And Hunter Luepke even found the endzone on a red zone rushing play.

All-in-all a solid afternoon’s work for the Cowboys’ 2023 undrafted free agent rookies.

For the second-straight week the trio far outshined the drafted rookies on the field. So much so that we’ll give the rookies a “B” for this week’s performance as a group.

The first two draft picks? Not so much.

Time To Print The Label?

Last week we mentioned we were hesitant to use the bust label on the Michigan duo of defensive tackle Mazi Smtih and tight end Luke Schoonmaker.

A reader or two called us out for even thinking about it just three games into the season. Can we start seriously considering it now?

Last week Smith was fifth in snaps among the team’s defensive tackles. He did manage to move up to fourth – owing to the early blowout – this week.

But he only edged Chauncey Golston by two snaps on defense with 17 and none on special teams.

Golston had 15 on defense, and another nine on special teams.

Golston also managed to catch a pass for a two-point conversion and recorded a tackle. Neither of which Smith managed to match.

Schoonmaker – owing to Peyton Hendershot being inactive – saw 39 snaps on offense and another 14 on special teams.

He was targeted three times but failed to catch a single pass. He also went full “hands of stone” on a potential touchdown pass from Dak Prescott.

At the quarter pole of their rookie seasons, the Cowboys’ two rookie Wolverines have a lot of room for improvement.

Missing In Action Draftees

Deuce Vaughn saw a lot of time on the field but generated very little to show for it. He had eight carries for nine yards and caught a pass for another two yards.

Vaughn had seen 21 snaps on offense and another three on special teams in his first three games.

In Sunday’s win he saw 22 on offense and eight on special teams.

But Vaughn was ineffective running the ball in the red zone. He wasn’t setting the world on fire with his blocking either.

Asim Richards saw limited action at guard, getting seven snaps each on offense and special teams.

Viliami Fehoko, Eric Scott Jr., and Jalen Brooks all saw no action for Dallas. Third-rounder DeMarvion Overshown (Linebacker) is out for the season.

The Few, The Proud, The Undrafted

With the Cowboys getting two of their regular starters back on the offensive line, Bass was regulated to backup duties.

After getting 81 snaps in his start against the Cardinals last week, Bass only saw 16 on offense against New England. He added seven more on special teams.

The good news is he drew no penalties and his name was not called by the referee.

Aubrey just continues to put the ball through the uprights. Granted, the majority of his 13 kicks have not been from a great distance.

But he is 13-for-13 on field goals and has hit nine straight point after tries after missing his first attempt of the season in wet conditions.

He did line up for what would have been a 66-yard attempt in the final seconds of the first half.

But a false start moved Dallas five yards back and Mike McCarthy decided not to risk a 71-yard attempt.

Still, it would have been nice to see if Aubrey could have made it. He would have tied Baltimore’s Justin Tucker for the NFL record.

Brett Maher retains the Cowboys’ record for longest-made field goal at 63 yards.

Rookie Of The Week

For the second-straight week the honor belongs to Luepke.

The North Dakota State alum barged in from three yards out for his first-ever NFL touchdown. He also might have given Dallas the answers it seeks to solve its red zone scoring woes.

Where Tony Pollard, Rico Dowdle, and Deuce Vaugh failed to move the ball forward, Luepke just lowered his pads and drove full speed ahead.