5 Cowboys Playing for Their Jobs in Training Camp

2. Deuce Vaughn, RB

After Ezekiel Elliott's departure shook up the Cowboys' backfield last offseason, many thought that Deuce Vaughn had what it took to be the No. 2 running back behind Tony Pollard. The former 2023 sixth-round pick showed flashes of potential throughout training camp 2023, making it appear as if he had enough talent to overcome his diminutive frame to land an NFL job.

But despite a strong summer showing, Vaughn didn't see much regular-season action. The ex-Kansas State rusher was limited to just 61 offensive snaps across seven games without a start, resulting in 40 rushing yards on 23 carries and another 40 yards on seven receptions without a single touchdown. No matter how you slice it, 2.7 yards per touch does anything but inspire confidence.

While the path for playing time was clear last summer, that isn't the case this time around. Pollard may have left to join the Tennessee Titans, however, Elliott is back in town to reclaim the RB1 spot while Rico Dowdle is projected for the RB2 role after racking up 505 scrimmage yards and four TDs in a backup role last season, ascending past Vaughn on the depth chart in the process.

While the RB3 job is still up for grabs, Vaughn now has to compete against Royce Freeman for it.

The 28-year-old has more experience than his second-year counterpart after amassing 1,792 rushing yards, 532 receiving yards, and 11 total touchdowns across his first six seasons. Freeman also averaged 4.1 yards per career — the second-best rate of his career — on 77 touches with the LA Rams last season, which more than doubled Vaughn's rate (1.7).

With how harder it already is for shorter players to succeed in the NFL, Vaughn must find a way to step up or risking losing his job.