Ezekiel Elliott’s release earlier this year left the Dallas Cowboys with a hole to fill behind new starting running back Tony Pollard. The Cowboys, who posted the sixth-most rushing attempts in the NFL in 2022, need another RB to play behind Pollard and soak up some of the touches Elliott is leaving behind. Can rookie sixth-round pick Deuce Vaughn handle that responsibility, or does Dallas need to add a running back?
Is Deuce Vaughn the Cowboys’ No. 2 RB Behind Tony Pollard?
Elliott led the Cowboys in carries and touches a season ago, and although he wasn’t efficient with his work (3.8 yards per carry), those opportunities have to go somewhere. Pollard, whose touch count has risen in every year of his career, should see even more chances now that he’s Dallas’ 1A starter. But even he admits that the Cowboys need a Robin to his Batman.
“I definitely can handle the punishment,” Pollard said in January, via The Athletic. “I could see myself being a feature back, but for the time being, I’m fine. I feel this league is going away from using one go-to back. You need at least two nowadays, and it makes it a lot easier on both backs.”
MORE: 2024 FREE NFL Mock Draft Simulator With Trades
Pollard was referencing Elliott, still his teammate at the time, as his tag-team partner, but that role could now fall to Vaughn. The Kansas State product managed more than 1,400 rushing yards in each of his final two collegiate seasons, and he was also a significant factor in the receiving game, posting 91 receptions for 846 yards and seven touchdowns from 2021-22.
“The No. 1 thing is (we’re) getting a hell of a football player, a guy that can win in space, create their own space, and do explosive things,” Cowboys vice president of player personnel Will McClay said. “Deuce’s done that ever since he’s been in high school. Getting him and adding him as a weapon was a huge deal.”
As PFN’s Ian Cummings wrote in Vaughn’s pre-draft profile, the 21-year-old is excellent in space, “has incredible short-area agility and twitch, and can rapidly offset and explode by defenders.”
But there’s one pressing question about Vaughn’s ability at the NFL level: Can a 5’6”, 172-pound back hold up in the pros?
Vaughn’s size means that he can easily get stymied between the tackles and doesn’t have the power to generate yards after contact. He also has trouble in pass protection. Per PFF, Kansas State only asked him to block on 16.1% of his passing plays in 2022.
“I think clearly Deuce can play in the normal flow of our offense on first and second down,” head coach Mike McCarthy said after the draft. “I think stating the obvious, as far as the protection component, we’ve got to work together there. But there are some very distinct situational thoughts and concepts that I have in mind already.”
The Cowboys still have one of the best offensive lines in football and can account for extra pass rushers, but Vaughn’s limitations as a pass protector could limit his usage in Dallas’ offense. If the opposing defense knows Vaughn can’t handle blocking duties, they could relentlessly exploit his weakness.
Who Are the Cowboys’ Other RB Options?
Vaughn could emerge as a viable No. 2 back behind Pollard over the summer. If he performs well during workout sessions and into training camp, Dallas might feel they don’t need to bring in another RB. Or maybe the Cowboys have high hopes for 2022 undrafted free agent Malik Davis or veteran Ronald Jones, who inked a one-year deal in March.
But the concept of re-signing Elliott isn’t off the table. The 27-year-old hasn’t generated any known interest on the free agent market or received any offers, so he’d presumably be open to coming back to Dallas.
“That ship hasn’t sailed yet,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said after the draft. “We haven’t made a decision. We obviously drafted a running back, but a little different style than Zeke. I’m not trying to be cute. But nothing we did today changes that.’’
There are other free agent options on the table if the Cowboys don’t pursue Elliott. Leonard Fournette or Kareem Hunt could probably be had for something close to the league minimum salary. Even a back like former Rams starter Darrell Henderson Jr. could provide a change of pace behind Pollard.
MORE: Potential Landing Spots for RB Kareem Hunt
Dallas has been mentioned as a potential suitor for Derrick Henry or Dalvin Cook, but a veteran RB trade doesn’t make much sense for the Cowboys. They only have $10.5 million in cap space, so they could barely afford Henry or Cook without creating more breathing room. Given that they’re already paying Pollard $10.1 million on the franchise tag, another pricey RB probably isn’t in the cards.
Vaughn might be a more attractive option for Dallas than any back in the non-Zeke division. If the Cowboys don’t forge a reunion with Elliott, Vaughn could be featured as a prominent part of the 2023 Dallas offense.
