6 Cowboys on Thin Ice Heading Into the NFL Draft

5. Deuce Vaughn, Running Back

The darling of the 2023 NFL Draft class fell off in a major way as a rookie.

Deuce Vaughn was added in the sixth round of the draft and his father was the one who gave him the call of a lifetime. Chris Vaughn, the assistant director of college scouting, was able to deliver the news and ask the Kansas State product to come work with him.

Unfortunately, it was quiet for Vaughn after that. He appeared in just seven games as a rookie and had 40 yards on 23 rushing attempts. He added 40 yards on seven receptions but managed just two first-down conversions and never scored a touchdown.

Looking ahead to 2024, it can go just about any way imaginable for Vaughn. He’s suddenly on a very thin depth chart with Rico Dowdle and Malik Davis as the only other experienced backs. That could lead to an uptick in touches for him. Or, it could lead to them utilizing more than one draft pick on the position, making it that much harder for him to make the roster as a sophomore.

Vaughn had 3,604 yards and 34 touchdowns in three seasons for the Wildcats. He needs to figure out how to turn that collegiate production into success in the NFL — and needs to do so in a hurry.