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Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys’ rookies starting to hit a wall

Originally posted on Inside The Star
By Richard Paolinelli | Last updated 12/6/23

The NFL now has 13 games under its belt for the 2023 season. It shouldn't be much of a surprise that the rookies are starting to hit the wall.

Aside from Brandon Aubrey, the Cowboys' rookie class certainly appears to have done so.

Hunter Luepke and Luke Schoonmaker made some small contributions in Thursday's 41-35 win over Seattle.

But the rest of the class was either inactive or failed to make a dent in the stat sheet Thursday night.

Aubrey continues to be the cream of the 11-rookie crop.

But this draft class is not looking like one to be remembered among the all-time best.

Mazi Smith

(1st Round – Michigan – Defensive Tackle)

Smith saw just 11 defensive snaps and none on special teams. He was tied for third-most – which also means last – among the five defensive tackles in snaps.

Smith registered no official stats in the 11 plays that he was on the field.

He continues to underwhelm as a first-round pick with just 10 tackles for the season.

Luke Schoonmaker

(2nd Round – Michigan – Tight End)

Schoonmaker saw 25 snaps on offense and another 13 on special teams.

He was targeted one time by Dak Prescott. He caught the pass for a 12-yard gain and a first down.

Schoonmaker has seven catches for 61 yards and two touchdowns for the season.

DeMarvion Overshown

(3rd Round – Texas – Linebacker)

Overshown continues to rehab from a pre-season knee injury suffered in Seattle.

Viliami Fehoko

(4th Round – San Jose State – Edge)

Fehoko was inactive once again. He has seen no action in a regular season game this year.

Asim Richards

(5th Round – North Carolina – Offensive Tackle)

Richards was inactive for the fourth straight game.

He has been inactive in six of the 12 games this season.

Eric Scott Jr.

(6th Round – New Mexico – Defensive Back)

Scott was inactive once again. He has seen no action in a regular season game this year.

Deuce Vaughn

(6th Round – Kansas State – Running Back)

Vaughn was inactive for the third-straight game and sixth overall for the year. He has 38 rushing yards and 11 receiving yards for the year.

A preseason darling, Vaugh appears to be plunging down the depth chart in Dallas.

Jalen Brooks

(7th Round – South Carolina – Wide Receiver)

Brooks was inactive, the seventh time in 12 games he has not suited up. Brooks has five catches for 63 yards on the season.

T.J. Bass

(UDFA – Oregon – Guard)

Bass saw just seven snaps on special teams and none on offense. It is the second-consecutive game he has not lined up for a play on offense.

Hunter Luepke

(UDFA – North Dakota State – Running Back)

Luepke had 11 snaps on offense as a blocking back and 15 more on special teams. His lone touch of the game was a 15-yard kickoff return to close out the first half.

Luepke has 3 carries for 13 yards and a touchdown to go with 10 yards on two receptions for the season.