The Dallas Cowboys have 11 rookies on the 53-man roster to start the 2023 season. One – linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (3rd round pick, Texas) – is out for the season.
The other 10 suited up for their first regular season NFL game on Sunday night against the Giants in New York. Seven of them saw action in the 40-0 victory.
None of the rookies made any major mistakes – aside from a missed extra point try – and had good overall efforts in their debuts.
The rookies for the first game get an A-. Hey, a missed extra point – rain or not – is a deduction in points kids. Let’s check out their individual stats.
The Draftees
The Cowboys’ first round pick, Mazi Smith, finished the night with two tackles – one solo and for a loss – in his NFL debut.
Smith did not get the start and saw 17 snaps – 24% of the defensive snaps for the Cowboys on Sunday night.
Veterans Osa Odighizuwa (four tackles, two sacks) and Johnathan Hankins (2 tackles) did the majority of the interior work on the defensive line.
Odighizuwa had 39 snaps on defense – and two more on special teams – while Hankins had 18 on defense and one on special teams.
Neville Gallimore was credited with 34 snaps to round out the night’s work among the defensive tackles. Second rounder Luke Schoonmaker (tight end) saw 16 snaps on offense and 17 on special teams.
Fourth rounder Viliami Fehoko (EDGE) did not see action on Sunday night. Fifth rounder Asim Richards (offensive tackle) had nine snaps on offense.
Fifth rounder Eric Scott Jr. (defensive back) also did not see action on Sunday night.
Sixth rounder Deuce Vaughn (running back) had six carries for just eight yards. He was not targeted with a pass out of the backfield.
Seventh rounder Jalen Brooks (wide receiver) also did not see action in the game.
The Undrafted
The two undrafted free agents saw action in Sunday’s blowout victory.
Hunter Luepke (running back) saw four snaps at fullback and 12 more on special teams.
He made a couple of solid blocks – including one on one of Pollard’s touchdown runs — but did not touch the football.
Offensive guard T.J. Bass had nine snaps on offense and seven more on special teams.
Rookie Of The Week
Brandon Aubrey made the biggest impact for the Cowboys among the 10 rookies on the active roster.
Aubrey gave the sideline and the fanbase PTSD by pushing his first point after try wide left.
Aubrey rebounded well, hitting his next four point after attempts and both field goal attempts.
A combination of weather and early jitters made Aubrey look a little hesitant on his kicks. But he nailed every one after the early misfire.
The issues with the weather might be a concern long-term if they continue. Aubrey was solid in the USFL but that was in the spring with better weather.
His kicking for Dallas up until Sunday had been in camp at fair weather Oxnard, Seattle and indoors at AT&T Stadium.
Sunday’s game was the first bad weather he’s seen the last two years. It won’t be the last.
Two of the last four games will be played in December and January in Buffalo and in Washington D.C. Two locations not known for pleasant weather in the winter season.
