Dallas Cowboys running back Deuce Vaughn said this week that he has been spending some time at the slot receiver position during OTAs.

Speaking to the Cowboys' official website, Vaughn discussed the move and the idea that it could make him a more valuable and versatile player on offense:

"It was one of those things that we had kind of talked about at the end of the season last year. Talking with [offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer] just a little bit about getting with the slot. ... Just learning a little bit more about it. Because it's one of the things I did in college and love to do. Just adds another value."

Vaughn, 22, was a sixth-round pick by the Cowboys in the 2023 NFL draft, and he played sparingly as a rookie.

As the No. 3 running back behind Tony Pollard and Rico Dowdle, Vaughn carried 23 times for 40 yards, made seven catches for 40 yards and returned four punts for an average of 4.8 yards per return.

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At 5'6" and 176 pounds, it will be difficult to Vaughn to ever serve as a feature back in the NFL, but adding the option to use him at slot receiver could help him get more snaps in 2024 and beyond.

The Cowboys have an elite No. 1 wide receiver in CeeDee Lamb, and while he spends a significant amount of time in the slot, Dallas doesn't have many great options to play the slot when he splits out wide.

Brandin Cooks and Jalen Tolbert are better suited as outside receivers, creating an opportunity for Vaughn to potentially seize the role.

At Kansas State, Vaughn was a skilled pass-catcher, racking up 116 receptions for 1,280 yards and nine touchdowns in three seasons with the Wildcats.

It is unclear if that ability will translate to the NFL level, but adding to his bag of tricks will only serve to make Vaughn more indispensable to the Cowboys.

Vaughn also figures to see an increase in usage out of the backfield in 2024 after Pollard left for the Tennessee Titans in free agency. Dowdle is returning as the potential starter alongside veteran Ezekiel Elliott, who is back in Dallas after spending his first seven seasons with the Cowboys and last season with the New England Patriots.