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Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys’ first depth chart features two interesting surprises

By Jeff Smith | Last updated 8/9/23

Before diving headfirst into the unofficial first depth chart for any team, it's worth putting a huge asterisk at the top and stating that these typically mean very little.

With that said, it doesn't mean that there aren't things to take away from these depth charts, specifically when it comes to pointing out players that have stood out during training camp.

This sentiment is no different for the Dallas Cowboys, a team constantly under a microscope and certainly a hot-button topic every preseason and during the season. But while the Cowboys' first unofficial depth chart wasn't overly surprising, there were a few things that stood out when evaluating it.

Let's check out two of the most notable, with credit to The Athletic's Jon Machota, who posted the unofficial depth chart.

Cowboys’ first unofficial depth chart pic.twitter.com/3FZX8jMPfp
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 7, 2023

Rico Dowdle's emergence?

The great debate over the No. 2 running back spot behind Tony Pollard was a big topic after the team parted ways with former first-round pick and longtime workhorse back Ezekiel Elliott. The Cowboys did very little to quiet that chatter, but even with that said, the hype around Pollard has been so high after last season that it was sort of pushed to the back burner.

It's been widely expected that second-year running back Malik Davis (listed at No. 3) out of Florida would get the first crack after a solid rookie season in limited action. Sixth round draft pick Deuce Vaughn (currently at the bottom of the depth chart — which isn't overly surprising right now) has generated a ton of buzz in training camp for his explosive playmaking ability, and he'll be a name to watch during the preseason.

But the name who's emerged early from training camp to slot into the No. 2 spot is Rico Dowdle. Dowdle joined the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent following the 2020 NFL Draft. Interestingly, he's spent each of the past two seasons on the injured reserve, making him a legitimate wild card in the running back debate.

Over four seasons at South Carolina, Dowdle averaged 5.1 yards per attempt while totaling 2,167 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. For good measure, he also flashed potential as a receiver, catching 62 passes over 39 games with 483 receiving yards and three additional scores.

Whether or not he's a legitimate threat to make the final roster will be something to monitor, but he'll get plenty of competition from the players behind him.

Peyton Hendershot as TE1

This one has already generated some buzz among Cowboys fans. The 2022 undrafted free agent out of Indiana appears poised to receive first crack at stepping in to replace 2022 starter, Dalton Schultz. Henderson saw limited action last season but did make an impact when the ball was in his hands. He caught 11-of-16 targets that came his way, totaling 103 yards but scoring two touchdowns.

He flashed impressive playmaking ability and upside, which fans also saw glimpses of during his collegiate career, as he caught 136 passes for 1,479 yards and 14 touchdowns, even while having a quiet freshman season in 2018 (163 yards) and junior year with 151 yards.

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