'Second-Year Leaps': Can Cowboys Mazi, Schoon, Overshown & 2023 NFL Draft Class Save Dallas?

The Dallas Cowboys have been quiet in free agency. So is the franchise putting a lot of faith in the "second-year leap" of players to help bail them out of their current predicament?

The Dallas Cowboys have dug themselves a rather nasty hole with their free agency plan. With a host of starters and rotational pieces walking out the door, the roster has holes that the Cowboys might be unable to fill.

Coach Mike McCarthy often refers to players making a "second-year leap.''

With so many roster holes to fill, are the Cowboys banking on a "second-year leap of the 2023 draft class to help the roster regain some of its firepower?

Let's look at that rookie class ...

Cowboys 2023 draft picks:

DT Mazi Smith, TE Luke Schoonmaker, LB DeMarvion Overshown, DE Viliami Fehoko, OT Asim Richards, CB Eric Scott Jr., RB Deuce Vaughn, WR Jalen Brooks.

UDFA's (still on roster): RB/FB Hunter Luepke, OL T.J. Bass, TE John Stephens Jr.

It was no secret that both Mazi and Schoonmaker underwhelmed in their rookie seasons, but if Jalen Tolbert's improvement in Year 2 is repeated here, having Smith and Schoon as contributors is viable.

Mazi is supposed to help ease Dallas' run-stopping woes, which could get worse as Jonathan Hankins is signing with the Seattle Seahawks.

Tight end isn't a position to worry about, exactly, because of Jake Ferguson, but Schoonmaker would welcome more production in the passing and run-blocking game.

Perhaps the biggest spike Cowboys fans are hoping to see this season will be from Overshown. Prior to his ACL injury sustained against the Seahawks in preseason, he looked like a viable option to make the 53-man roster. Now, with Leighton Vander Esch gone, Overshown could be expected to push Damone Clark and help improve the linebacking core. 

Sep 17, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Mazi Smith (58) rushes the passer while blocked by New York Jets guard Laken Tomlinson (78) in the third quarter at AT&T Stadium / Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Fehoko, who didn't feature in his rookie season as Dallas had an embarrassment of riches at defensive end, had a season to work on his technique and get his body NFL-ready.

With both rotational pieces Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr. moving on, a spot could open up for Fehoko. Thought of to be one of the most underrated talents at his position in the 2023 draft class, he could see more game time in his second season and announce himself to Cowboys Nation.

Offensive tackle Richards managed eight games in his rookie campaign (playing just seven percent of offensive snaps). As a backup, another year in the system could prove beneficial. So, too, is his ability to play both guard and tackle - an improvement in 2024 could be good for Dallas' offensive line depth. 

Undrafted free agent T.J. Bass (17 games, two starts) could also be one to look for to make his mark in 2024. ... maybe as a full-time starter.

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Scott Jr. was part of a crowded cornerback room as he flashed his talents during training camp, and while his rookie season was sort of "redshirted,'' with Mike Zimmer now calling the shots, Scott Jr. could get the chance to show he can be a good depth piece for Dallas.

Running back is one fascinating position to watch over the next couple of months, as Rico Dowdle is back for another year, and Deuce Vaughn was used sparingly in his rookie season.

Deuce isn't seen as a starter, but given Dallas' slow approach, he could be in line for more reps moving forward. So too could undrafted rookie free agent Hunter Luepke. It is expected that Dallas will grab a running back in the draft, which will again leave both Deuce and Luekpe fighting for time.

Last is Jalen Brooks. Perhaps the surprise of training camp and the regular season. Brooks flashed consistently in Oxnard, and when given an opportunity in the regular season, he took it, hauling all six targets for 64 yards.

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With another offseason to show his worth, a competition with Jalen Tolbert and undrafted free agent TE/WR John Stephens Jr., who also flashed in camp before his ACL injury, could commence.

In truth, several rookies could take big leaps in 2024. Big enough to help the Cowboys out of their current roster jam? That's a big question mark.