When the Cowboys let Dalton Schultz leave in free agency, they didn’t know how the tight end position would shake out in 2023. For three seasons Schultz had TE1 locked down. Young players like Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot showed promise but no one appeared to be the clear long-term solution.
The unknown prompted the Cowboys to address the TE position with their second pick in the 2023 draft. With selection No. 58, Dallas collected Luke Schoonmaker. The 24-year-old was older than most rookie prospects but came with a level of polish as a run blocker. Unfortunately, Schoonmaker’s plantar fasciitis had other plans and the rookie TE now plays the waiting game with his injured foot.
The hope was Schoonmaker’s experience would pay dividends early since the Cowboys may need to lean on him in Year 1. It would relieve some of the burden from Ferguson and spread the Cowboys’ eggs across multiple baskets.
Dallas placed their rookie TE on the non-football injury list last week with a partial tear. The notoriously cranky injury needs time and rest to improve which means it’s not something the Cowboys want Schoonmaker to tough out and push through.
Cowboys rookie TE Luke Schoonmaker said he is dealing with a partial tear to plantar fascia. That is a more challenging foot injury than a complete tear. Still, he is optimistic. “It’s been good. I’m just taking a good pace.” Hopes to resume practice in next week or two.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) July 29, 2023
Now the weight falls back on Ferguson to be to be the stabilizing force of the TE group at the ripe age of 24-years-old (younger than Schoonmaker).
Dak to Jake Ferguson pic.twitter.com/4QW7ESnuNj
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) July 26, 2023
Hailing from another run-heavy football program, Ferguson showed last season he’s up to the task.
The Wisconsin product surprised Dallas with his well-rounded game as a rookie. He understood blocking assignments and looked like a promising weapon downfield. His athletic traits are less than that of Schoonmaker, but his awareness and technique make him an ideal high-floor alternative.
“I think I know what’s going on and what to expect a little more,” Ferguson said of his second season. “And I know what to expect out of myself but also that ceiling that I think I need to reach as a player and also for this team.”
There’s no telling when Schoonmaker will get integrated into the offense, or how effective he’ll be when he does return. The TE1 job is truly Ferguson’s to lose. The extra hours working in the Dak Yard (Dak Prescott’s backyard football field) will hopefully pay dividends for the young TE.
There’s a good chance Ferguson will never get a better chance than right now in the NFL and the Cowboys are banking on him to seize the opportunity.
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