Mailbag: Could Schoonmaker challenge for TE1?

[Gambit]

Schoon could be closer than what we realize. Ferg looked off last year, I’m assuming injuries played a big part in that. If he looks off again this year, then absolutely yes.

True. Whole offense looked off minus Rico and CD.

 

[Jarntt]

Ferguson is so underrated IMO. He was both banged up and didn't have his QB last year. Don't leave out the not 100% part. He is the guy he was in 2023, but better, because that was him with a little less experience. With both CeeDee and Pickens garnering the defenses attention this year I expect Ferguson to run that seam route all year long. Think back to what you thought he was going to be last year because that is who he is...

 

[Aikmaniac]

I think they will be 1A and 1B.........

Gronk and Hernandez?

 

[Chasing6]

Schoon could be closer than what we realize. Ferg looked off last year, I’m assuming injuries played a big part in that. If he looks off again this year, then absolutely yes.

So did CD.

 

[charron]

Sure he could. None of the tight ends on this roster is elite. I like Ferg when healthy but really they are all interchangeable, fairly close in ability and how they are used when healthy.

 

[fivetwos]

For as much as this team counts on rookies, why didn’t they have more faith in second year Ferguson and not push the panic button on Schoonmaker when Shultz walked?

They really need to quit forcing position in round two based on how the first went, but they put themselves in that spot and consider it a genius move to not overpay in free agency.

 

[plasticman]

Ferguson is in his contract year and I just don't see a way the Cowboys can keep him.

It would be best for the Cowboys if Schoonmaker shows some starting capability. Otherwise, it's back to the drawing board for the TE position in 2026.

 

[Scottishcowboy]

Year 3 is about when tight ends start putting it together, so it's Schoon's time if there's ever going to be one.

BSF is a guy I have high hopes for too. I think he could be a future starting-caliber player.

He will be 48 years old by year 3 though

 

[big dog cowboy]

Schoon could be closer than what we realize.

He is far from what many in here portray him to be when they call him a wasted draft pick.

He looked much better last year and produced when given a chance.

 

[thunderpimp91]

He looked much better last year and produced when given a chance.

I'm not here to dog on Schoon, I think hes shown to be a solid TE2, but when has he really produced? He received starter number snaps for three weeks last year (Houston/Washington/NYG) with 38/24/30 passing snaps respectfully. In those games he averaged 4 catches for 48 yards per game. Certainly serviceable, but those were also the #30th, #27, and #25 pass defenses.

80% catch rate last year is fantastic. I even think he is a little better than Ferg running up the seam to get some of those intermediate catches, but I think he also needs to take another step forward to live up to the 2nd round pick that was spent on him. 36 catches for 313 yards over two years is production you can find just about anywhere.

 

[thunderpimp91]

Ferguson is so underrated IMO. He was both banged up and didn't have his QB last year. Don't leave out the not 100% part. He is the guy he was in 2023, but better, because that was him with a little less experience. With both CeeDee and Pickens garnering the defenses attention this year I expect Ferguson to run that seam route all year long. Think back to what you thought he was going to be last year because that is who he is...

I'm with you right up until the seam route comment. I hope he ends up making me look foolish for saying this, but I still think the piece that keeps Ferg from being a top 10 type of TE is that he doesnt run those vertical routes as well as you'd like. He seems to do nearly all of his damage going east/west finding holes in coverage underneath. Still should benefit from the WR upgrade though.

 

[Gambit]

So did CD.

CD played well, let's not forget he was playing with one shoulder injured most of season.

But the entire team really was off. That locker room wasn't anywhere near right.

 

[Chasing6]

CD played well, let's not forget he was playing with one shoulder injured most of season.

But the entire team really was off. That locker room wasn't anywhere near right.

Both were injured and missed games and had a back up QB. If you take average of Ferguson stats for 17 games, it was similar to last season, minus TD's.

 

[BrassCowboy]

I don't think school is competing with Ferg, but he should be worried about Spann-Ford taking his #2 spot

 

[Chasing6]

I don't think school is competing with Ferg, but he should be worried about Spann-Ford taking his #2 spot

We have 3 solid TE's and they tend to get injured. Ferguson is locked in at TE1.

 

[Rockport]

Can’t wait for training camp.

 

[dmq]

Sounds like a TE in the second rd next year.

 

[Coogiguy03]

We need to see who emerges in the new offensive schemes.
Can Spann-Ford surprise?

We really do not have a top notch TE.

Word is that he's not even the 2nd tight end being called in during practices

 

[quickccc]

We need to see who emerges in the new offensive schemes.
Can Spann-Ford surprise?

We really do not have a top notch TE.

Wasn't Ferguson a Pro Bowl TE in 2023 ...?

 

[CowboyStar88]

lol he’s just another wasted pick. He was old when drafted and he’s not going to challenge Ferg.