The Cowboys already appear to be much more diverse in their attack in 2025, and Hunter Luepke could help further confuse opponents.
Stars are going to be stars, but what often makes a difference between good and great are the complimentary pieces. The Dallas Cowboys appear to have done a better job of building their offensive firepower in 2025. The trade acquisition of WR George Pickens appears set to have a domino effect, as focus on he and CeeDee Lamb should make everyone around them have easier jobs. It's already resulted in a long-term deal for TE Jake Ferguson, who statistically had the worst TE season in league history in 2024, courtesy of all of the attention sent his way.
Further down the roster though, head coach Brian Schottenheimer may be preparing Dallas to have a time-tested tradition of the little used, but highly valuable swiss army knife in the form of third-year and former UDFA Hunter Luepke. Luepke has been part full back, part running back with sporadic snaps, but it appears his role may evolve in 2025 in an effort to help keep defenses on their toes.
Rundown
Position: Fullback/H-Back
Age: 25
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 238 pounds
Hometown: Spencer, WI
High School: Spencer
College: North Dakota State (Film Study Video)
Draft: 2023 Undrafted Free Agent
Acquired: 2023 Street FA
Contract: Three-year contract (2023), $2.7 million
2025 Base Salary: $1 million, no guarantees
Career Earnings: $1.7 million (per Over The Cap)
Profile
The Cowboys are moving Luepke back and forth between lead blocking back and second tight end, often using him as part of a more well-rounded motion edict. Luepke is a capable runner and pass catcher, and obviously blocker, and being able to keep defenses off balance by moving him from inline to the backfield should be a handy weapon for Schottenheimer and new offensive coordinator Klayton Adams to deploy.
Having both Luepke and Kavontae Turpin, two dramatically different skill sets, shifting and going in motion together seems a dream come true for folks who have pined for more diversity in the Cowboys' offensive attack, giving them a swiss-army knife for each hand in an alley fight.
Moving Turpin changes the way the back seven has to play. Also moving Luepke will keep the trenches thinking and adjusting. Engaging all 11 defenders pre-snap increases the chances they make a crucial misstep.
The pecking order of the fellow running backs Luepke will be blocking for is unknown. It could be either of the two veteran FA signings, Miles Sanders or Javonte Williams, or it could be rookie sensation Jaydon Blue. But Luepke's versatility could have an impact on the tight end room, as Brevyn Spann-Ford and Luke Schoonmaker battle it out to be Ferguson's second, and players such as John Stephens, Princeton Fant, Rivaldo Fairweather and Tyler Neville look to make the 53-man roster.
Luepke has forced himself into conversations about the depth chart at multiple positions, which can only help his chances of making the team under a new regime.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Dallas Cowboys player profile: No. 40 FB Hunter Luepke
Category: Football
