Welcome to SKOL Search!
This series will be your guide to the 2023 draft class. From scouting reports to mock drafts and exploring different scenarios, we will be covering the NFL draft and the future of the Minnesota Vikings from all angles.
The focus of the draft class in this space will be on the Vikings’ major needs at wide receiver, running back, cornerback and both interior and edge pass rusher.
The Vikings are slated to have four picks before compensatory selections are awarded and they need to make the most out of them.
Background
Deuce Vaughn
- Kansas State
- Height-5060
- Weight-176 lbs
- Third-year junior
- 3-Star recruit per 247 Sports
- Stats: 651 carries, 3,604 yards, 5.5 YPC, 34 touchdowns, 116 receptions, 1,280 yards, 11.0 YPC, 9 touchdowns
- Games watched: Texas 2022, TCU 2022, Missouri 202, TCU 2022 (Big 12 Title)
Strengths
Vaughn is a very talented player. He has the ability to play on all three downs and do anything you ask of him.
What stands out the most about Vaughn is his patient running style. His small stature allows him to hide behind his blockers before he finds the hole. His vision is solid and he finds the hole quickly, along with helping him maneuver in space.
When Vaughn gets into space, he displays really good change of direction and contact balance. Vaughn is well built and thick for someone as small as he is. Vaughn runs through arm tackles with ease.
He is also really good as a receiver. Kansas State used him often as a pass catcher both out of the backfield and in the slot. He was explosive in doing so and he ran routes designed to get him in space so he could do the most damage. Vaughn also displays soft hands and catches the ball away from his body.
If you want to play on third downs where Vaughn is likely to get most of his playing time, you have to be able to block. Vaughn has no issue getting his hands dirty and he does a great job in doing so.
Weaknesses
You can’t talk about Vaughn’s weaknesses without talking about his size. He is built smaller than former Kansas State legend Darren Sproles. Listed at 5060 and 176 lbs, that would put him among the smallest players ever to play in the NFL. He can absolutely have a role in the league, but it likely caps his ceiling.
Vaughn has the burst to get through the hole and get past the initial wave of defenders, but he lacks the breakaway speed to separate and hit the home run consistently when the opportunities present themselves.
While his vision is overall good, Vaughn does display some hesitation when the hole isn’t obvious. That comes from his excellent patience and that will likely keep improving as he gets older.
Overview
| Vision | 8.1/10 |
| Cutback | 8.0/10 |
| Long Speed | 3.2/5 |
| Contact Balance | 8.1/10 |
| Pass Blocking | 7.7/10 |
| Break/Avoid Tackles | 13.0/15 |
| Durability | 7.6/10 |
| Receiving | 8.1/10 |
| Quickness | 7.9/10 |
| Ball Security | 8.5/10 |
| Grade | 80.2/100 Second Round |
Vaughn is a very good player that would go much higher if he was a bigger back. I believe his talent has him earning a fringe second-round grade, but don’t be surprised if he ends up going on day three.
