Cowboys add RB to backfield with Deuce Vaughn

The Dallas Cowboys selected Kansas State running back Deuce Vaughn in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, 212nd overall.

Vaughn comes in at 5-foot-5 but was a playmaker for Kansas State. He tallied 3,604 yards and 34 rushing touchdowns over his college career. His best season came in 2022 when he put up 1,558 yards on the ground.

Vaughn has family ties to the Cowboys as his father is a scout for the franchise.

Dallas has retooled its running back room this offseason after cutting longtime rusher Ezekiel Elliott. Tony Pollard, who was franchise tagged, now figures to be the leading back while Ronald Jones, Malik Davis, and Rico Dowdle round out the backfield.

Pre-draft profile

Vaughn won't be a consideration for many teams because of his size, and those concerns are justifiable. At only 5-foot-5 and 179 pounds, he'll be an all-time outlier at the position in the NFL. But it's hard to not fall in love with everything he does as a football player. The Kansas State standout is an intelligent runner who can play hide-and-seek behind offensive linemen nearly twice his size, expertly setting up his blocks to execute between the tackles. His balance and low center of gravity help him bounce off soft contact, and he's got the elusiveness to make defenders miss in tight areas. Vaughn is also a polished receiver out of the backfield, rounding out a relatively complete skill set. He'd be one of the class' top running backs if he checked in a few inches taller and 25 pounds heavier. There's still a reasonable chance he has a productive, Darren Sproles-like career, but the risk hurts his value.