rpaolinelliThe Cowboys’ 2023 rookie class had a slightly better showing Sunday against the Rams compared to two weeks ago against the Chargers.
But not by much.
The rookies are not making nearly the impact for the Cowboys that many of their peers are across the NFL. This trend needs to change soon.
Especially as Dallas failed to make any moves at the trade deadline yesterday to improve the roster.
Mazi Smith
The first rounder out of Michigan recorded a tackle late in the third quarter of Sunday’s win.
He had 18 snaps on defense – matching his total from two weeks ago – but below his season-high. He was third among the team’s defensive tackles.
Osa Odighizuwa and Johnathan Hankins continue to take the majority of the snaps.
Luke Schoonmaker
We had a Schoonmaker sighting on Sunday.
With five minutes left in the second half, Dak Prescott hit the second rounder from Michigan for a 13-yard pass.
It was the first play of a five play drive that ended with a touchdown and a 33-3 lead. He had 25 snaps on offense and 15 on special teams.
In seven games, Schoonmaker has two catches for 14 yards and one touchdown on seven targets.
DeMarvion Overshown
The third rounder from Texas continues to recover from his pre-season injury and continues to work toward the 2024 season.
Viliami Fehoko
Did not see action on Sunday. He has not played a single down this season.
Asim Richards
After two straight weeks listed as inactive, Richards saw action on Sunday with Tyron Smith being a late scratch.
Richards played 11 snaps on offense and another seven on special teams.
Eric Scott Jr.
Did not see action on Sunday. He has not played a single down this season.
Deuce Vaughn
For the second straight game, Vaughn was a healthy scratch for the Cowboys.
Vaughn’s stock with the Cowboys – for reasons unknown – seems to be tumbling at this point.
The sixth rounder from Kansas State has 40 yards on 20 carries. He has five receptions for 19 yards.
He has no touchdowns scored this in his rookie season.
Jalen Brooks
The seventh round pick was inactive on Sunday.
He has only seen action in two games this year for a total of 20 snaps on offense and 24 on special teams. He has no stats.
T.J. Bass
The undrafted free agent played just nine snaps on offense and seven on special teams.
The guard saw no action against the Chargers two weeks earlier. Bass played 81 snaps in lone start in Week 3 against the Cardinals.
Hunter Luepke
The undrafted free agent from North Dakota State appears to have moved up the depth chart ahead of Vaughn.
He is currently third in snaps behind Tony Pollard and Rico Dowdle.
Luepke caught one pass for a negative yards on Sunday. He had six snaps on offense and 21 on special teams.
Luepke has one touchdown on three carries and 13 yards rushing. He’s added two receptions for 10 yards for the season.
Brandon Aubrey
The rookie kicker continues to be the crown jewel of the rookie class. Aubrey has hit all of his first 18 field goal attempts.
If he makes his next field goal attempt he will set the new record. Cleveland’s Travis Coons (2015) currently shares the record of 18 with Aubrey
Since missing his first extra point attempt on a raining night in New York Aubrey has made 17 straight point after tries.
He was 5-for-5 on extra points and hit both field goals – including a 58-yarder – in Sunday’s win.
At least the Cowboys solved their kicking issues with their undrafted free agent from Notre Dame.
Team needs to use rookie full back more!!
They should be using Luepke as a replacement for Zeke. He blocks just as well and is a better receiver as an outlet.
We need to see Luepke getting reps on 3rd & Short and RZ! I believe we showed that we’re opening up the playbook and letting Dak be mobile and run the field, which will keep us in plenty of hard games. The D & ST keep holding it down on their end and we can’t be stopped!
Vaughn was always a publicity stunt. A waste of a draft pick in a draft that looked suspiciously like Jerry took back draft control from McClay. Mazi Smith is what he is..slow and not really big at 323 not 337#. Schoon is what he is, the 8th best tight end in the draft. McClay brought in talented UDFAs after Jerry ruled this draft.
We should look to sign a few veterans for the stretch run! Wouldn’t hurt to bring them in for a workout and see if they’ve got anything left! Ndamukong Suh, Matt Ioannidas, Akiem Hicks, Bryce Callahan, Byron Jones, Kyle Fuller, Anthony Brown, William Jackson III Logan Ryan, Cameron Brate, Nick Martin, Taylor Lewan, Lael Collins, J.D. McKissic, Breshad Perriman, Marcus Cannon, Eric Fisher, Rodney Hudson. Suh, Ionnidas, Brate, McKissic, Callahan, Ryan, Lewan or Fisher would be the guys I would look at 1st!