Despite the Dallas Cowboys sitting on their hands this offseason, they still have a few players that are flying under the radar as we enter the 2024 season.
This is my opinion, nothing more, but I think they have a sleeper on both offense and defense that could be a key to success this year. This is also based off what the coaching staff has already said this summer.
You may not think of them as sleeper players, but I do because they have not been talked about enough by us outside of maybe one of them, so let’s see if you agree.
Let’s start with the defensive side of the ball first, Mike Zimmer now controls the defense and will need the help of every single player to compete this season.
Damone Clark
Damone Clark is the first player.
The former fifth-round pick appeared in 17 games in 2023 but showed a bit of a “sophomore slump” with a near four-point drop off in his PFF grade from his rookie season.
The Cowboy’s only free agent move was signing Veteran Eric Kendricks to run the defense at middle linebacker this season. But this is why I think Clark is a sleeper on that side of the ball.
He will feed off Kendricks.
https://twitter.com/VoiceOfTheStar/status/1800573953070768544
With all the shifting they had at linebacker last season, Clark was just thrown into the role. Leighton Vander Esch got hurt, and Overshown ended up on IR before the season even began.
Let’s not give up on Clark yet. Even with the drafting of Marist Liufau. Clark will not have nearly the pressure on him as he did a season ago, he is still young, only entering his third season. He could find himself with a lot of starts and playing time in 2024.
Cowboys LB DeMarvion Overshown is expected to play the weakside LB spot in Mike Zimmer’s defense. Eric Kendricks will be in the middle and Damone Clark at strongside. Overshown, who is coming off a season-ending knee injury, has gained about 13 pounds.
“That was more of a me…
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) May 23, 2024
Wide Receiver Four?
Now for the offensive side of the ball, the combination of Deuce Vaughn and KaVontae Turpin.
I know you all are probably thinking, Vaughn is a running back. Well, he has gotten reps in the slot already this summer.
Deuce Vaughn has been getting work as a slot receiver in OTAs and that will continue in minicamp — as Mike McCarthy and the #Cowboys try to define a true role(s) for him in 2024.
Something key to watch this summer.
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) June 4, 2024
Vaughn only had 30 touches during his rookie season for 80 scrimmage yards.
He won’t see the field being a running back. It just feels like he has a game-changing play in him once or twice a month.
I think Jalen Tolbert is going to land the role of WR3 in the offense this season, so Turpin and Vaughn are the two sleepers on this side of the ball.
After a little more than 20% of NFL kickoffs were returned in 2023, “we anticipate it goes maybe to 60%,” Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said. KaVontae Turpin naturally in line for more touches this season. pic.twitter.com/Fda0TYD5bb
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) June 4, 2024
“It was one of those things that we had kind of talked about at the end of the season last year,” Vaughn said a few weeks ago, per the team website.
“Talking with [offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer] just a little bit about getting with the slot… Just learning a little bit more about it.”
I don’t think the Cowboys used Turpin to his full potential in 2023. He can change the game in one play.
Both these guys may struggle to get targets, but they have to find a way to get them into the offense. Every team needs these types of players, and I think these two are them for the Cowboys.
I asked #Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy about the use of Deuce Vaughn in the slot. He says in general they are cross training a number of guys. Looking for a lot of "dual position'' potential when cutting down the roster. Also praised the work of the young receivers "knocked it out of…
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) June 4, 2024
Agree To Disagree
You may disagree with me, and that is fine. But with this team doing nothing in free agency, they need to find a way to get some of their explosive players on the field.
They may not be every down guy, but it can take the pressure off CeeDee Lamb and others.
We will find out more in late July when training camp starts what they may do with Vaughn. But these are some sleepers heading into the 2024 season that can help the Cowboys win a game or two in 2024.
