After a very quiet NFL debut last week in New York, the Dallas Cowboys’ rookie class showed signs of life in Sunday’s 30-10 win over the Jets.
Deuce Vaughn picked up two big first downs on a scoring drive. Luke Schoonmaker caught his first pass – and touchdown – of the season.
Undrafted free agents T.J. Bass and Hunter Luepke threw their weight around as blockers. Kicker Brandon Aubrey had a perfect day too.
The Cowboys currently 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 rookies for the second game get a solid ‘A’. Mazi Smith’s lack of production and diminished playing time is concerning.
It’s too early to start talking “bust”, but Smith needs to step up his game. Otherwise the Taco Charlton comparisons will begin.
The Draftees
The Cowboys’ first round pick, Mazi Smith, got 11 snaps at defensive tackle. He had no tackles.
Second rounder, tight end Schoonmaker, finally got his first official target, pass reception and touchdown in the NFL.
All three came on the same play – and it was just a one-yard pass – but he’ll take it and so will the Cowboys. He clearly had the better day among the Cowboys’ Wolverines.
Fourth rounder, Viliami Fehoko (EDGE), did not play. Fifth rounder, Asim Richards, saw five snaps at offensive guard and another six on special teams.
Fifth rounder, Eric Scott Jr. (defensive back), and seventh rounder, Jalen Brooks (wide receiver), did not see action.
The Undrafted
The two undrafted free agents saw plenty of action in the win on Sunday. Luepke had 18 snaps on offense and another 16 on special teams.
The North Dakota State alum still hasn’t had a carry or a reception yet. But he is getting the job done as a blocking fullback.
Luepke’s roster spot seems secure with the Cowboys releasing Ronald Jones earlier this week.
Bass saw 42 snaps on offense at guard and another six on special teams. The rookie made several nice blocks.
But he did have a brutal whiff on a block attempt that led to a tackle for a loss deep in Jets’ territory.
After missing his first point after try on opening night in wet conditions, Aubrey has been perfect. A nickname making the rounds is “Aubreymatic.”
Let’s pause that one until we get a few more outdoor games under the rookies belt. But on Sunday he was certainly that.
Aubrey was 5-for-5 on field goals and made his only point after try. Aubrey accounted for all 12 of Dallas’ second half points.
And his 55-yard field goal was solid, and looked to be clear by several more yards. He is now 7-for-7 in field goals and 5-of-6 in point after tries.
The Cowboys seem to have solved their kicking issues for now.
Rookie Of The Week
Vaughn had a bit of a coming out party on Sunday. He had the AT&T Stadium crowd chanting “Deuce!”
The Kansas State alum only saw 13 snaps on offense and one on special teams. But he made the most of the time he was out there.
Vaughn had three carries for 16 yards and caught all three passes he was thrown to for another 16 yards.
He had a key sequence in a drive that eventually extended Dallas’ lead to 18-7 in the second quarter.
An 11-yard catch gave Dallas a first-and-10 at the Jets’ 27. Vaughn then carried the ball on the next two plays, 13-yard and a three-yard runs, to put the Cowboys at the Jets’ seven.
Prescott hit Schoonmaker six plays later for the touchdown. Statistically, it wasn’t a huge game, but Vaughn is showing signs of what he’ll bring in the future.
