Dallas Cowboys DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

As expected, the Dallas Cowboys have been experimenting with using pint-sized running back Deuce Vaughn as a receiver out of the slot during organized team activities this offseason. The second-year back was seen on Thursday at OTAs taking reps out of the slot as head coach Mike McCarthy looks to add some wrinkles to his offense going into Year 2 as the play-caller. Vaughn has also been taking backup returner reps to KaVontae Turpin. The 5-foot-6 running back saw limited action last year in his rookie campaign, getting just 30 touches for 80 scrimmage yards. But with Tony Pollard gone, Vaughn should see an increase in snaps in Year 2 in 2024. However, he's still currently third on the RB depth chart in Dallas behind Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle, so he's not going to be on the fantasy radar on draft day in standard 12-team leagues.

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy reiterated on Thursday at organized team activities that he's "definitely" seen significant progress from backup quarterback Trey Lance. "Now starting to get the timing with the routes. He's close to being a master of the system. He has a really high understanding. He just needs as many reps as he can," McCarthy said. Despite the Cowboys unsurprisingly declining Lance's fifth-year option this offseason, they have liked what they've seen from the former first-round pick (third overall) heading into his second season with the team. The 24-year-old signal-caller has lost most of his dynasty/keeper appeal at this point after not playing a single snap for Dallas in 2023 while sitting behind Dak Prescott. Unless Prescott misses time with an injury that forces Lance into the fold in 2024, he'll be off the redraft radar.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb's absence at voluntary organized team activities this offseason has opened up opportunities for the team's young receivers such as Jalen Tolbert, a third-round pick in 2022. Tolbert has the chance to take the No. 3 role behind Lamb and Brandin Cooks this year after the Cowboys released Michael Gallup in the offseason and didn't address the position with a known commodity in free agency or early in the draft. The 25-year-old had only 22 catches for 268 yards and two touchdowns last year, but he showed improvement from his rookie season in which he caught just two passes for 12 yards and was inactive for nine games. Tolbert is heading into the 2024 season with more confidence and more trust from quarterback Dak Prescott, which could make him a sleeper to target late in deeper fantasy leagues.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert looks like he has added muscle this offseason, according to Nick Harris of DallasCowboys.com. The 25-year-old is expected to have a more significant role behind CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks this season, and his added bulk could help him take a step forward. After catching just two passes in just eight games as a third-round rookie in 2022, Tolbert caught 22 passes for 268 yards and two scores in 2023. After the team moved on from Michael Gallup this offseason, his path to the WR3 role is more clear. It's also worth noting the Cowboys will have to replace 67 targets vacated by Tony Pollard after he signed with the Tennessee Titans at the start of free agency, so there could be more targets up for grabs in the short and intermediate areas of the field for Tolbert.

Dallas Cowboys tight end Luke Schoonmaker (hamstring) is dealing with a hamstring injury that is expected to keep him out throughout organized team activities. Schoonmaker had shoulder surgery this offseason, but his hamstring injury is what is keeping him off the field this spring. He missed all of his 2023 rookie spring with a foot injury. The Cowboys took Schoonmaker in the second round of last year's draft out of Michigan, and he caught only eight of 15 targets for 65 yards and two touchdowns in 17 regular-season games in 2023 while working in a backup role behind Jake Ferguson. Schoonmaker has had trouble with injuries early in his NFL career, but as long as he's able to get back on the field for training camp this summer, he should have a chance to be ready for Week 1 of the 2024 regular season. Barring an injury to Ferguson, Schoonmaker can be left to the waiver wire in most redraft fantasy leagues.