How 4 Cowboys players who broke out this offseason can contribute in 2023

2 of 4

3. Hunter Lupeke

When it’s all said and done, don’t be surprised if Luepke ends up with one of the highest rookie snap counts on the team. McCarthy loves his fullbacks, and he’s got a great new toy to play with.

Luepke was more than just a typical lead-blocking fullback at North Dakota State. He lined up at fullback, tailback, tight end, H-back and receiver his senior season — rushing for 621 yards and tacking on another 196 through the air, on his way to 13 total touchdowns.

Ironically, his biggest knock heading into the draft was his blocking. And if he’s filling the role that newly-cut Sean McKeon occupied last year — a versatile H-back — he’ll have plenty of blocking on his plate in 2023.

The last two Cowboys primary lead blockers were a tight end — McKeon — and a guard in Connor McGovern. Those two provide virtually zero value as rushers. Luepke does. And McCarthy has already compared him to former Green Bay fullback John Kuhn, who garnered 233 touches from 2010-2014 under the coach.

Here’s Mike McCarthy on the similarities between FB John Kuhn and Hunter Luepke

During the 2010 Super Bowl season for the Packers, John Kuhn played a vital role in the Packer’s offense under McCarthy. His versatility as a blocker, runner, and as a receiver out of the backfield… pic.twitter.com/PxdzfsaW9C
— Ernie (@es3_09) August 31, 2023

Cowboys fans may still have nightmares from fullback Jamize Olawale, who fell far below meeting expectations with just two touches in two seasons, but many blame offensive play calling and a lack of vision for his failures. This is not the same situation.

Luepke is just as talented and the coaching staff behind him seems to have a clear idea of his role.