rpaolinelliThe 2023 rookie class in Dallas – aside from placekicker Brandon Aubrey – continues to underwhelm this season.
While Aubrey was setting a new NFL record on Sunday, Luke Schoonmaker was coming up short in a crucial situation.
But at least he got on the stat sheet.
Which is more than the others can claim.
It’s been a troubling trend over the first half of the season. Whether or not the rookies can step up and contribute more remains to be seen.
They’ll need to make more of an impact as a group if the Cowboys have any plans on a Super Bowl run this year.
Mazi Smith
The first-round pick from Michigan played a total of 12 snaps on defense – just 19% of the total defensive snaps – on Sunday.
Of the Cowboys’ five defensive tackles, only Neville Gallimore – eight snaps – saw less action than Smith. The rookie has just five tackles this year.
Smith is clearly under-performing expectations as a first-round pick this season.
Luke Schoonmaker
Schoonmaker saw 12 snaps on offense and another 10 on special teams against the Eagles. The second rounder from Michigan was targeted once.
He caught the pass – for no gain – and ran his route along the goal line instead of a step or two deeper.
The difference between scoring a crucial touchdown in a huge game and getting tackled inches short in a huge loss.
He was also called for holding that negated a huge run. The rookie tight end has three catches for 14 yards and a touchdown for the season.
DeMarvion Overshown
The rookie linebacker from Texas continues rehabbing from a knee injury suffered during a preseason game in Seattle.
Viliami Fehoko
The rookie defensive lineman from San Jose State has still not seen a down of action in the regular season.
Asim Richards
The fifth-rounder from North Carolina saw three snaps on special teams on Sunday.
He has been inactive for two of the Cowboys’ eight games. The offensive lineman has a total of 32 offensive snaps and 27 special teams snaps in six games.
Deuce Vaughn
The sixth-round running back from Kansas State was the feel-good story of the draft. Now he’s a ghost.
Vaughn was inactive for the third-straight game on Sunday. Apparently he’s been a healthy scratch at that.
He has 40 yards on 20 carries and 19 yards on five receptions, catching all five of his targets.
Eric Scott
The sixth-rounder from Southern Mississippi has not been active for any of the Cowboys’ eight games this year.
Jalen Brooks
The seventh-round wide receiver from South Carolina was inactive for the second-straight game on Sunday. It was the sixth time he has not played this year.
In his two games, he has yet to catch a pass but has seen 20 snaps on offense along with 24 on special teams.
Undrafted Free Agents
As has been the case for most of the year, the undrafted free agent rookies have outshined their drafted counterparts.
Brandon Aubrey’s place kicking has led the charge for the UDFAs. The Notre Dame rookie continues to be “Aubrey-matic”.
Aubrey set the NFL record for most field goals made by a rookie to start his career with a 51-yard boot to give Dallas a 17-14 halftime lead.
Aubrey is 19-for-19 in field goals this year. He has made all four of his kicks beyond 50 yards with a long of 58 yards.
He has hit 19 straight extra point attempts after missing his first try in New York to open the season.
Running back Hunter Luepke was targeted once and had a special teams tackle on Sunday. He saw just five snaps on offense and 17 on special teams.
The North Dakota State rookie has 13 yards and a touchdown on three carries and 10 yards on two receptions. He also has two tackles.
Guard T.J. Bass, from Oregon, saw just three special teams snaps on Sunday. It was his lowest snap total of the year.
Was hoping JR Fehoko would play.