With one notable exception, the Dallas Cowboys’ rookie class isn’t showing up this season.
Undrafted free agent Brandon Aubrey collected his first game-winning field goal in Monday’s 20-17 win over the Chargers.
But the rest of group isn’t cutting it. And that is something that can, and easily should, change following the bye week.
Get Luepke and Schoonmaker On The Field
On the offensive side of the ball, tight end Luke Schoonmaker and running back Hunter Luepke need to be more involved.
Especially Schoonmaker, who should be more productive with Peyton Hendershot injured.
Schoonmaker only saw 17 offensive snaps on Monday. He played an additional 13 snaps on special teams.
He was not targeted a single time by Dak Prescott during the game.
Post-draft there was talk of him being the starting tight end. It hasn’t happened and he needs to start playing like a starter.
In the case of the undrafted Luepke, he was clearly signed to serve the John Kuhn/fullback role in McCarthy’s offense.
On Monday night, Luepke saw eight offensive snaps and another 16 on special teams. Like Schoonmaker he was not targeted once for a pass.
Nor did he get a rushing attempt and there’s the problem.
He was open for a check down pass on Monday. Prescott never looked his way on what turned out to be an incompletion.
Nor was Luepke on the field on a fourth-and-1 at the Chargers’ 13.
The Cowboys ran the “tush push” that went for no gain and a turn over on downs.
Luepke is a human bulldozer. Give him the ball needing a yard and he’ll get it. He just lowers his shoulders and bulls his way forward.
Tony Pollard is not a power back nor is Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, or Prescott.
Luepke is. It’s time for McCarthy to start using him as such, especially in short yardage situations.
The Other Offensive Rookies
The remaining four rookies on the offensive side of the ball might as well have stayed in Dallas and watched the game.
Vaughn was inactive – the first game he’s missed this year – as was lineman Asim Richards. It was the second straight game Richards did not suit up for.
Seventh round pick Jalen Brooks saw some action with five offensive snaps and 11 on special teams. He also was not targeted.
Guard T.J. Bass had four snaps on special teams, but for the first time this year had none on offense.
The Indefensible DefenDERS
Mazi Smith saw 18 snaps on defense and one on special teams – the lowest number of snaps among the Cowboys’ five defensive tackles.
He had no stats for the game against the Chargers. His season stats are abysmal for a first round pick.
That has to change and it has to be a priority for Dan Quinn during the bye week.
DeMarvion Overshown’s preseason injury is becoming more problematic – especially with Leighton Vander Esch’s neck injury.
The third rounder might have made quite an impact had he not been lost for the year. Both Viliami Fehoko and Eric Scott Jr. have yet to see a single snap on the field.
The Cowboys’ coaching staff – despite the 4-2 record – have a lot of work to do. The rookies do as well.
Rookie Of The Week
Aubrey continues to impress. He hit both of his point after attempts and all four of his kickoffs went for touchbacks.
He also drilled a 32-yard field goal to give Dallas a halftime lead.
Aubrey then calmy connected on a 39-yard field goal with a little over two minutes left in the game for what proved to be the game-winning points.
At least the place kicking is one area the Cowboys don’t need to fix.