On the heels of a 78-808-8 effort in 2021, the Dallas Cowboys placed the franchise tag on Dalton Schultz, who looked to be emerging as a top-tier, pass-catching tight end. Schultz reportedly spurned a three-year extension and played out the tag, hauling in 57 passes for 577 yards and five TDs over 15 appearances last season. He then ended up settling for a one-year deal with the Houston Texans in March.
Schultz’s departure creates a camp battle between a pair of returning options in Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot, and rookie Luke Schoonmaker. Let’s look at all three players to see which one(s), if any, deserve fantasy consideration.
Luke Schoonmaker
In terms of raw talent, Schoonmaker is Dallas’ best bet to replace Schultz. He has good size, strength, and is an above-average route runner. He also offers some versatility, providing the option to work in-line due to his solid blocking skills or move to different spots in the formation. Of course, tight end is a notoriously difficult position to make a smooth transition from college to the pros, so assuming Schoonmaker will be ready to start in Week 1 leans optimistic.
Consider this: Other than Atlanta Falcons’ Kyle Pitts, who logged 1,026 yards in 2021, only Evan Engram (722) and John Carlson (627) have topped 500 as rookie tight ends in the past 20 years.
Jake Ferguson
A fourth-round pick last year, Ferguson caught 19 passes for 174 yards and a pair of touchdowns as a rookie. The Wisconsin product is viewed as a “jack of all trades, master of none” type, showing good hands and a willing spirit as a blocker but not truly excelling in either area. While tough, Ferguson lacks the speed to threaten defenses vertically. Doubtless he’ll slip free here and there, and he can be schemed open, but whether he can develop beyond that is unclear.
Peyton Hendershot
Hendershot (11-103-2) made the club as an undrafted rookie last year and went on to appear in all 17 games for Dallas. Don’t let his undrafted free-agent roots fool you, however, as that was due in large to an off-the-filed incident. On the field, Hendershot’s skills are catching the ball and creating separation, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see him led the club’s tight ends in receiving in 2023. His shortcomings as a blocker might limit his snaps, however, so that’s something to keep an eye on in camp.
Fantasy football outlook
Right now, it’s hard to envision the Cowboys featuring a top-25 fantasy tight end on their roster, especially if Michael Gallup returns to form and Brandin Cooks assimilates as expected. The team is clearly high on Schoonmaker, but he caught all of 44 passes in three years at Michigan and is more of a blocker that they’ll try to develop into a receiver. Hendershot is probably the best receiving option on paper, but he’s a work in progress as a blocker, while Ferguson is the most well-rounded but appears to have a low ceiling. Bottom line: None of them are worth drafting.
