As the Cowboys near the quarter pole of the 2023 NFL season there already is some concern regarding their drafted rookies.
Following the draft back in April, Dallas looked to have had a solid draft. They addressed needs on the defensive line and at tight end.
They even had the feel-good story of the draft by drafting Deuce Vaughn, the son of one of their top scouts, Chris Vaughn.
But three weeks into the season and there is one alarming stat. The eight drafted rookies are being out-performed by the team's three undrafted free agents.
That is a trend that cannot continue.
It would help if the drafted rookies could play their way onto the field more. You don't expect much from a rookie class overall.
But the players taken in the first two rounds are expected to contribute more than the Cowboys' first two picks have so far this year.
The Michigan Men
First-rounder Mazi Smith (Defensive Tackle) has yet to start a game. In three games he has three total tackles.
Only one tackle was solo and for a loss.
He has only played 40 snaps on defense in three games. His 12 snaps in Sunday's loss was fifth among the team's defensive tackles.
Smith was the third defensive tackle taken in the draft. The Saints took Bryan Bresee three picks later.
Bresee also hasn't started a game but he has a half-sack, three tackles, three quarterback hits and has 92 snaps in three games.
As of three weeks, the Saints are getting their monies' worth.
Dallas? Not so much.
The second-round pick of Luke Schoonmaker (Tight End) – a teammate of Smith at Michigan – was a curious one.
The Cowboys really needed to address the offensive line more than tight end in April.
They went ahead and took Schoonmaker. A run on tight ends in the draft likely prompted the decision.
But right now Schoonmaker isn't the starter and he's getting outplayed by Jake Ferguson at the position.
Through three games Schoonmaker has one catch for one yard and a touchdown on two targets. He has taken 66 snaps on offense.
Ferguson has 10 catches for 70 yards and a touchdown on 150 snaps.
Even backup tight end Peyton Hendershot has better numbers than Schoonmaker with a catch for three yards on 96 snaps.
Inconsistent Late Rounders
The aforementioned fourth-rounder, Vaughn, had eight yards on six carries in the season opener. He followed that up with 16 yards rushing and another 16 receiving in Week 2.
But in Sunday's loss Vaughn saw the field just once – on special teams.
Fifth-rounder Asim Richards (Offensive Tackle) has just 14 snaps on offense and another 10 on special teams in his three games.
Can't Get On The Field
Third-round pick DeMarvion Overshown (Linebacker) at least has an understandable excuse.
He blew out his knee in a preseason game in Seattle. He won't see the field again until 2024.
Fourth-rounder Viliami Fehoko (Edge), sixth-rounder Eric Scott Jr. (Defensive Back), and seventh-rounder Jalen Brooks (Wide Receiver) have all yet to see a single snap.
The Undrafted Rookies Are Shining Brightly
Making the drafted rookies' issues even more noticeable is the play of the three undrafted free agents on the roster.
Brandon Aubrey has already drawn a nickname “Aubreymatic.” He's hit six of seven point after tries and all 10 of his field goal attempts.
He has the range, hitting a 55-yarder, and his kickoffs are sailing deep into the end zone.
Running back Hunter Luepke has 30 snaps on offense and another 43 on special teams. He has a nine-yard rush and a 12-yard reception along with some solid blocking.
Guard T.J. Bass has picked up plenty of in-game action with the offensive line suffering through injury issues.
He got his first start in Sunday's loss to the Cardinals and played 81 snaps on offense. He has 132 snaps on offense and another 17 on special teams.
As of now, the draft class is lagging way behind.
If they want to avoid being labeled a bust, they'll need to step up their games. And very soon at that.
