As Brian Schottenheimer steps into his inaugural season as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, the excitement of training camp in Oxnard is tinged with uncertainty. The roster battles are heating up, and no position is drawing more attention than the running back competition. With a crowded backfield and a fresh coaching perspective, the Cowboys’ depth chart is anyone’s guess as the regular season looms. In his latest 53-man roster projection for The Athletic, Jon Machota delivers a bold prediction that has left fans buzzing—and not entirely in a good way.
The Cowboys are expected to carry five running backs, but one name conspicuously absent from Machota’s projection is fan-favorite Deuce Vaughn. The diminutive dynamo, whose underdog journey to the NFL captured hearts, finds himself on the outside looking in. “Fullback Hunter Luepke is a good bet because of his versatility as a runner, blocker, and potential pass-catcher in an extra tight end role,” Machota notes. “That leaves Phil Mafah and Deuce Vaughn competing for the final running back spot. The edge goes to the recent seventh-round pick.”
A Backfield Battle Royale
Machota’s projection locks in veterans Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders, alongside rookie Jaydon Blue, as near-certainties for the roster. Hunter Luepke’s multi-dimensional skill set—capable of running, blocking, and catching passes—makes him indispensable. This leaves Vaughn and rookie Phil Mafah in a head-to-head showdown for what could be the final spot. For Vaughn, the odds are daunting.
Vaughn’s inspiring path to the NFL, overcoming his 5-foot-5 frame to become a standout at Kansas State, has endeared him to Cowboys Nation. Yet, his role in Dallas has always been a question mark. Last season, he was active for just seven games, managing only 17 carries. With a backfield that includes the bruising Williams, the reliable Sanders, the explosive Blue, and the versatile Luepke, Vaughn’s niche as a scatback and receiving threat feels redundant. Machota’s analysis suggests that Blue’s shiftiness and upside as a pass-catcher outshine Vaughn’s, while gadget weapon KaVontae Turpin might even steal some of his thunder as a change-of-pace playmaker.
Phil Mafah’s Case: Power Over Finesse
Enter Phil Mafah, the Clemson product who brings a different flavor to the Cowboys’ backfield. While he may lack Vaughn’s elusiveness or Blue’s speed, Mafah’s physicality is unmatched. Averaging 5.1 yards per carry over 500 college attempts against top-tier competition, Mafah’s blend of strength and grit makes him a dark horse in this race. His ability to churn out tough yards could complement the Cowboys’ otherwise finesse-heavy backfield, giving him an edge in Schottenheimer’s eyes.
A Familiar Face in a New Role
Vaughn does have one potential lifeline: the Cowboys’ new offensive line coach, Conor Riley, who previously served as his offensive coordinator at Kansas State. Riley’s familiarity with Vaughn’s skill set could give the young back a fighting chance. However, even this connection may not be enough to secure his spot on a roster that appears deeper and more competitive than last year’s lackluster group.
The Harsh Reality for Vaughn
The Cowboys’ backfield, while still considered one of the weaker units in the NFL, has more depth than it did in 2024. This increased competition leaves little room for Vaughn, whose limited snaps last season signal a lack of trust from the coaching staff. For a player best suited as a complementary piece behind a dominant RB1, Dallas’ current roster construction doesn’t play to Vaughn’s strengths. The question looms: does he truly belong on an NFL roster, or is his inspiring story not enough to overcome the numbers game?
Why This Move Shocks Fans
Cowboys fans have long clamored for a revitalized running game, but few expected Vaughn to be the odd man out. His exclusion from Machota’s projection is a gut punch to those who saw him as a spark plug for an offense in need of creativity. Instead, the Cowboys seem poised to prioritize versatility and physicality, with Mafah’s punishing style potentially tipping the scales. As training camp unfolds, all eyes will be on Oxnard to see if Vaughn can defy the odds once more—or if this shocking roster move becomes reality.