2024 RTSports Outlook

There was a lot of hype surrounding Vaughn before his rookie season, but he didn't find the field much in year one. He played in just seven games and ran 23 times for only 40 yards. He averaged just 1.7 yards per carry. Vaughn will try to move up the depth chart this year but likely plays a deep reserve role once again. Vaughn can be a solid three-down back. He catches the ball well and can do good between the tackles despite his lack of bulk. His small size is a concern, though. It seemed to hold him back some his rookie season, getting pushed around.

FANTASY OUTLOOK: Size remains a concern, but he could get some more weekly touches in this offense, especially in the passing game. He could get 300 total yards and a score.

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RotoBaller's Outlook

Dallas Cowboys running back Deuce Vaughn will enter his sophomore season in 2024 with a chance to contribute to what's expected to be a fruitful offense. The son of a Cowboys scout, Vaughn was drafted in the sixth round by Dallas in 2023. Listed at a probably-generous 5-foot-6 and 176 pounds, Vaughn became one of the shortest players in NFL history upon his first snap. The numbers that followed were modest, totaling 23 carries for 40 yards and seven receptions on as many targets for another 40 yards on the season. Ahead of Vaughn on the depth chart this year are an aging Ezekiel Elliott -- who will reprise his role as the lead back in Dallas after a one-year foray in New England -- and fifth-year pro Rico Dowdle. Vaughn is unlikely to become a lead back regardless of Elliott's performance and health, given the former's size and 1.9 YPC to date. However, Vaughn could become fantasy-useful as the Cowboys' main passing down back if he can beat out Dowdle and Elliott isn't physically up to playing three downs. If Vaughn generates sufficient training camp buzz, he could become a defensible dart throw in the last couple of rounds of some PPR drafts, given the favorable team context. Otherwise, he's best left in the free-agent pool.

Dallas Cowboys running back Deuce Vaughn will enter his sophomore season in 2024 with a chance to contribute to what's expected to be a fruitful offense. The son of a Cowboys scout, Vaughn was drafted in the sixth round by Dallas in 2023. Listed at a probably-generous 5-foot-6 and 176 pounds, Vaughn became one of the shortest players in NFL history upon his first snap. The numbers that followed were modest, totaling 23 carries for 40 yards and seven receptions on as many targets for another 40 yards on the season. Ahead of Vaughn on the depth chart this year are an aging Ezekiel Elliott -- who will reprise his role as the lead back in Dallas after a one-year foray in New England -- and fifth-year pro Rico Dowdle. Vaughn is unlikely to become a lead back regardless of Elliott's performance and health, given the former's size and 1.9 YPC to date. However, Vaughn could become fantasy-useful as the Cowboys' main passing down back if he can beat out Dowdle and Elliott isn't physically up to playing three downs. If Vaughn generates sufficient training camp buzz, he could become a defensible dart throw in the last couple of rounds of some PPR drafts, given the favorable team context. Otherwise, he's best left in the free-agent pool.