Dallas Cowboys 2023 UDFA profiles – Who are these guys?

Dallas Cowboys UDFAs

One name that stood out was that of Hunter Luepke, the fullback from North Dakota State. Dallas Cowboys fans knew that Mike McCarthy has traditionally loved using a fullback, and Luepke was probably the best in the draft. However, the NFL has trended away from using fullbacks (plus an ill-timed shoulder injury for Hunter) a lot so Hunter ended up not getting drafted. This was a name everyone around Cowboys Nation was expecting and he did in fact sign here.

On the plus side, Hunter is a good pass-catcher out of the backfield which helps his versatility beyond just a lead blocker. At 6’1″ he may not be ideal as a tight end, but he can split out and add some pop along the line and still get out for a reception. He isn’t quite the old-school bowl-you-over type fullback, but he does lower his pads, keeps his feet moving, and can churn out tough yardage. He had one fumble in the last few years and he does well to protect the ball in those tight situations. He also can play special teams which add to his value.

On the downside, Luepke doesn’t always engage well in blocking and will sometimes have a defender disengage. He has the power, I think more of it comes down to technique so it is fixable. As a receiver, there were a few drops that I think he lost concentration on. He doesn’t always take the cutback lane and will engage rather than try to make someone miss, it worked due to his power, but we will see how it works at the next level against bigger players. Luepke has a spot on this roster knowing how McCarthy likes to use fullbacks, and Hunter fits that mold really well.