Mailbag: Could Schoonmaker challenge for TE1?

[Chasing6]

Thank you. Fair point. Worth noting in 2023 he had 5 tds 2024 zero. Also 2023 avg 44.8 yards per game vs 35.3 in 2024.

Also worth noting School more than tripled his receptions from 8 to 27 from 3.8 yds per game to 14.2 which could be a reason less production for Ferg

For CD
2023 17 games 135 receptions basically 8 per game 102.9 yards per game and 12 TDs

2024 15 games 101 receptions 6.73 per game 79.6 yards per game 6 TDs.

So yes stats down with same back up QB.

It probably felt like a bigger year for him to fans because of him hitting it out with shoulder and no Dak he still produced, albeit not at same level.

I'm not sure the point you're trying to make, the entire team just felt off last year.

The point is people are done on Ferguson, but seem to be fine with CD, when Ferguson had same amount of receptions.

Both were injured, both had the same QB.

Obviously if Ferguson is out for 3+ games Schoonmakers numbers are going to go up.

 

[Stash]

I’ll throw this hypothetical out there.

If someone makes a decent offer or as part of a trade package, would you trade Ferguson?

He’s an unrestricted free agent after this season and I think the Cowboys are unlikely to re-sign him.

You have Schoonmaker for two more seasons and the team is high on Spann-Ford.

I think the options are either one final season of Ferguson in Dallas this year, or see what you can get in a trade.

 

[Chasing6]

I’ll throw this hypothetical out there.

If someone makes a decent offer or as part of a trade package, would you trade Ferguson?

He’s an unrestricted free agent after this season and I think the Cowboys are unlikely to re-sign him.

You have Schoonmaker for two more seasons and the team is high on Spann-Ford.

I think the options are either one final season of Ferguson in Dallas this year, or see what you can get in a trade.

We already know Steven will be happy with a 5th round comp pick.

 

[thunderpimp91]

Thank you. Fair point. Worth noting in 2023 he had 5 tds 2024 zero. Also 2023 avg 44.8 yards per game vs 35.3 in 2024.

Also worth noting School more than tripled his receptions from 8 to 27 from 3.8 yds per game to 14.2 which could be a reason less production for Ferg

For CD
2023 17 games 135 receptions basically 8 per game 102.9 yards per game and 12 TDs

2024 15 games 101 receptions 6.73 per game 79.6 yards per game 6 TDs.

So yes stats down with same back up QB.

It probably felt like a bigger year for him to fans because of him hitting it out with shoulder and no Dak he still produced, albeit not at same level.

I'm not sure the point you're trying to make, the entire team just felt off last year.

Break it down even further though and Lamb really wasn't that much less productive, he just didn't get as many opportunities. Ferg had a legitimate dip in yardage no matter how you do the math.

Lamb 2023 - 742 Pass snaps
Lamb 2024 - 574 Pass snaps

He was down about 23% fewer snaps than the year before. Adjusted to match his 2023 snaps Lambs would have been projected to have a 125/1500/8 type of slash line for 2024. Still technically down from his 1800 yard season which may never be duplicated, but still all pro type of numbers.


Ferg 2023 - 647 Pass snaps
Ferg 2024 - 434 Pass snaps

Down about 33% of snaps. Adjust his 2024 numbers to his 2023 snaps and he would be projected around 78/650/0. Not horrible numbers by any means, but this is the concern with Ferg....He
broke a few longer gains in 2023, but was heavily targeted underneath and struggled to get vertical as evidence of just 15 of his 81 catches at a depth of 10 yards or more. To compare Kittle had 30, Kelce 37, LaPorta 23. Jump forward to 2024 and Ferg struggled to show anything as far as down field ability. Just 6 catches at 10+ yards and a yards per catch average dipping just over 2 yards a catch. Part of that could be due to the QB situation, however he also hasnt shown to be anything more than average in his career in running routes down field.

 

[Pass2Run]

Schoonmaker could be one of the more improved players this year. Hopefully, his plantar fasciitis is better now.

 

[Gambit]

The point is people are done on Ferguson, but seem to be fine with CD, when Ferguson had same amount of receptions.

Both were injured, both had the same QB.

Obviously if Ferguson is out for 3+ games Schoonmakers numbers are going to go up.

Are there people out on Ferguson, or is just they have seen how Dallas has approached the TE position in recent past and know that the likelihood of Ferg coming back is pretty low?

Id fall in the 2nd one. I love Ferg. His attitude is much needed here, just don't see them spending the money there

 

[Gambit]

Break it down even further though and Lamb really wasn't that much less productive, he just didn't get as many opportunities. Ferg had a legitimate dip in yardage no matter how you do the math.

Lamb 2023 - 742 Pass snaps
Lamb 2024 - 574 Pass snaps

He was down about 23% fewer snaps than the year before. Adjusted to match his 2023 snaps Lambs would have been projected to have a 125/1500/8 type of slash line for 2024. Still technically down from his 1800 yard season which may never be duplicated, but still all pro type of numbers.


Ferg 2023 - 647 Pass snaps
Ferg 2024 - 434 Pass snaps

Down about 33% of snaps. Adjust his 2024 numbers to his 2023 snaps and he would be projected around 78/650/0. Not horrible numbers by any means, but this is the concern with Ferg....He
broke a few longer gains in 2023, but was heavily targeted underneath and struggled to get vertical as evidence of just 15 of his 81 catches at a depth of 10 yards or more. To compare Kittle had 30, Kelce 37, LaPorta 23. Jump forward to 2024 and Ferg struggled to show anything as far as down field ability. Just 6 catches at 10+ yards and a yards per catch average dipping just over 2 yards a catch. Part of that could be due to the QB situation, however he also hasnt shown to be anything more than average in his career in running routes down field.

I'd say it was a combo of his injury struggles, offensive scheme, lack of a WR to worry anyone opposite of Lamb and QB situation.

Reportedly the down field seam connection has been looking good in ota and mini camp.

Getting Dak back, Pickens, a run game should all benefit Ferg.
.
I like the player, dint think he's going to hurt the team, love his attitude, fits what Klsytim and Shotty want.

I just don't see Dallas spending a 2 and contract for him.

 

[CyberB0b]

Waste of a pick

 

[Chasing6]

Are there people out on Ferguson, or is just they have seen how Dallas has approached the TE position in recent past and know that the likelihood of Ferg coming back is pretty low?

Id fall in the 2nd one. I love Ferg. His attitude is much needed here, just don't see them spending the money there

He will have a great year, and will not be back next season, if their prioritize Pickens.

 

[Bullflop]

Here's hoping Schoonmaker makes every possible effort to challenge for the #1 TE spot. In doing so, it might stiffen the competition for that group to be one of the best in the NFL. Hot competition improves the results of any group's performance. The TE corps is no exception.

No doubt that Ferguson should respond to that challenge, assuming that it would be forthcoming. Dak would be blessed with such an occurrence actually coming into fruition. We'd probably be blessed with one of the better TE groups in the league if that were to come about. It's quite possible.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

Three things ruined Ferguson last year- the knee, the concussion, and then the loss of Dak.

Cooper Rush, working with the 2s in practice for so long, had a rapport with Schoonmaker. The connection with Ferguson was just not there.

 

[DCCowboys11]

No! I believe Schoonmaker will end up another bust/waste of a second round pick TE. (See Martellus Bennett, Anthony Fasano, Gavin Escobar picks). He’s half way there now.

 

[Pokes12]

He could emerge, but anyone can. We lack a true top flight te.

We had Tyler Warren in our sights and we let him go to Indianapolis, bad move!!!

 

[Pokes12]

No! I believe Schoonmaker will end up another bust/waste of a second round pick TE. (See Martellus Bennett, Anthony Fasano, Gavin Escobar picks). He’s half way there now.

Schoonmaker is weak. He cannot block and his pass catching skills are mediocre. He is another second-round bust.

 

[plasticman]

I think he is pretty good, better than his numbers show, but he is also easily replaceable with a day two draft pick.

Of course they will probably wait until Schoonmaker is gone also and force themselves into desperately needing a TE early in the 2027 draft. Same with WR2 next year. That plan has worked well for them.

One thing to keep in mind about Ferguson….Prescott loves him. They just may find the money.

I recall that Dak felt the same way about Dalton Schultz.