The Dallas Cowboys have long hoped for a new star running back now that the days of Ezekiel Elliot starring are over. Rico Dowdle had a nice season recently, but he's gone to the Carolina Panthers, and the franchise doesn't have that true feature back who can mold the offense's success.
Currently, the depth chart features a trio of newly-acquired players in Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders, and fifth-round rookie Jaydon Blue. It's the best running back room that the organization has had in years, and the team should feel good about its chances to rebound from last year's awful 5-12 finish.
Unfortunately for one recent draft pick, that likely means that he'll be let go ahead of roster cutdown day on Tuesday, Aug. 26.
Drafting Deuce Vaughn was fine. His college tape was impressive.
— Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) August 17, 2025
Making the team in 2023 was questionable at the very least.
Making the team in 2024 was complete negligence.
Making the team this year would be insanity.
Please. Move. On. pic.twitter.com/MhsXuz6zpF
Cowboys Will Soon Release RB Deuce Vaughn Ahead of Week 1
This is purely speculation, but it looks like 2023 sixth-round pick Deuce Vaughn's days with the Cowboys are nearing their conclusion.
At only 5-foot-6 and 176 pounds, Vaughn was always facing an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster. With the three aforementioned backs ahead of him, it quickly became obvious that Vaughn no longer fit into the front office's future plans.
During his two-year tenure with the franchise, Vaughn compiled 110 rushing yards and another 58 through the air, though he never earned the coaching staff's trust to get a larger role in the offense. At best, Vaughn is a scatback with a versatile skillset who could be a gadget-type player. On the other hand, he lacks true explosiveness and can't be a bellcow, making him destined to be a backup at best.
It'll be sad to see Vaughn go, and he isn't the only recent draft pick who is facing a likely cut. Vaughn, a beloved college star from Kansas State whose dad is on Dallas' coaching staff, is someone that all fans rooted for. Regardless, he doesn't have a future on the roster and shouldn't be expected to stick around.
Barring an injury, fans will hear about Vaughn's cut sooner rather than later.