Everyone loves a feel-good story.
The Dallas Cowboys made one when they drafted Deuce Vaughn with the 212th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. In Week 17, when the Cowboys take on the Detroit Lions, it might get even better.
For those who are unaware, Deuce's father, Chris Vaughn is the head of college scouting for the Dallas Cowboys; and he got to make the call to his son, to tell him he was going to work with him next week.
This was a tear-jerking moment that even made Cowboys haters ask who was chopping onions.
Since being drafted, Deuce has had a very minimal impact on the field, though. He has only played in 53 snaps, but then again for a sixth-round pick, that is not necessarily that bad.
Deuce resonates with fans for a couple of reasons. One was that phone call with his dad on draft day, the other is his size. Deuce is currently one of the shortest players in the NFL coming in at 5'5 1/4. Being that short, he is quite obviously an underdog, and everyone loves an underdog story.
As we enter the final stretch of the season, the Cowboys came across a predicament as Rico Dowdle has been ruled out ahead of their matchup with the Lions.
Normally they would just elevate Malik Davis from the practice squad to replace who is out, but Davis has already been elevated three times this year. This means he is out of elevations, so they have to turn to another player unless they opened a spot on the 53-man roster for him.
Enter Deuce Vaughn.
“Deuce will be up this weekend," Mike McCarthy told 105.3 The Fan on Friday. "We got a plan and looking forward to it.”
It will be very interesting to see how the Cowboys plan to use Vaughn, especially after the head coach confirmed they'll use him. Being sub 5'6 there will quite obviously be some struggles, and some that have already been on display.
A good offensive coordinator should be able to scheme to their players' strengths, so all eyes should be on McCarhty and his play-calling when Deuce is in the game. If he is asking Deuce to pass protect he is not only doing Deuce a disservice, but he is doing the team a disservice as well.
So how will they use him? He has only been split out as a receiver for three snaps this season.
I would expect lots of motion to get the defense into unfavorable looks, trying to get Deuce matched up against light boxes.
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