The Dallas Cowboys enter one of their most pivotal offseasons in recent memory with very little resources to make splash moves.
Because ownership is stingy when it comes to spending in free agency, this is a team that relies heavily on the draft to replenish its roster every year. While Dallas is regarded as one of the best drafting teams in the NFL, they have not been as prolific in recent years.
Sure, they've managed to get their hands on Micah Parsons, CeeDee Lamb, Tyler Smith Osa Odighizuwa, Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland. However, their hit rate has left a lot to be desired and is a big reason why this roster has so many holes.
Even with a new head coach and myriad new coordinators on both sides of the ball, these players in particular might be beyond saving.
Cowboys who cemented themselves as bust in 2024:
Deuce Vaughn, RB
It's a little harsh to label Vaughn a bust as a sixth-round pick, but he has provided next to nothing over his two seasons in the NFL.
The former Kansas State star has been active for just 14 games, carrying 40 times for 110 yards, equating to a lowly 2.8 yards per carry and 22.2% rushing success rate. A dynamic pass-catching threat for the Wildcats, Vaughn has just 58 receiving yards with the Cowboys.
Vaughn is the only running back on the active roster who is signed for next season. With former Kansas State offensive coordinator Conor Riley taking over as offensive line coach, the Cowboys might finally learn how to utilize the undersized back. But after two seasons it is safe to call him a bust.
Mazi Smith, DT
Smith could still come good in due time, but at this juncture we're hard-pressed to envision Dallas getting a proper return on investment.
A first-round pick in 2023, Smith's rookie year was essentially wasted as Dan Quinn asked him to convert to a three-technique tackle after he played as a one-tech his entire collegiate career at Michigan. That experiment went up in smoke.
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Smith had some nice performances under Mike Zimmer last season, but not enough to inspire confidence that he'll be a force in the trenches. Even with the improvements, he still logged a 35.9 run-defense grade and ranked 42nd among interior defenders with 20 defensive stops.
Luke Schoonmaker, TE
The Cowboys needed Schoonmaker to step up last season as Jake Ferguson missed time with a concussion and knee injury and he produced to the tune of 27 catches for 241 yards and one touchdown in six starts.
While hardly earth-shattering numbers, they represent a stern improvement following a forgettable rookie year in which Schoonmaker navigated injuries in OTAs and training camp that really put him behind the eight ball. He played all 17 games in year one, but managed just eight catches for 65 yards.
That leaves Schoonmaker, a second-round pick in 2023, with 35 catches for 303 yards in two seasons. Not exactly second-round stuff. The numbers look even worse in comparison to fellow high draft picks, Dalton Kincaid, Sam LaPorta and Tucker Kraft.
Damone Clark, LB
Clark would not be included if this article was written two years ago. He was fresh off a promising second year in which he started all 17 games and tallied 109 tackles, 32 defensive stops and a 69.1 coverage grade as one of Dan Quinn's key players.
Last season was a different story. With Mike Zimmer presiding over the defense, Clark's role disappeared. From Week 11 on, the 2022 fifth-round pick played a grand total of four defensive snaps, per PFF.
Like Vaughn, Clark could come back to life under a revamped coaching staff. However, it is just as likely that the Cowboys cut Clark this offseason to free up cap space.
Not every player fits every scheme, but Zimmer clearly saw something that deemed Clark unplayable in his defense.