It has officially been four years since significant changes have taken place. Many individuals who began their journey in high school or college have now successfully graduated and walked across the stage to receive their diplomas in this timeframe.

Of course, I am referring to the impact of Jason Witten’s career as a tight end for the Dallas Cowboys.

The legendary Gold Jacket, Witten, last donned the uniform for America’s Team in 2019, when he returned from the commentary booth during the Monday Night Football season. It was particularly fascinating to observe how the Cowboys adapted their tight end strategy, especially since this was the first time in the 21st century that they faced real competition for the position.

Starting from 2020, the team has developed a variety of options at tight end. Credit should be given to the players themselves who have stepped up, but it’s also essential to recognize the contributions of play-callers Kellen Moore and Mike McCarthy, along with quarterback Dak Prescott, all of whom have demonstrated an ability to succeed despite the frequent changes in personnel.

Although four years may seem like a long time, it is still just a limited sample size. Blake Jarwin was initially expected to be the standout player at the position, but Dalton Schultz quickly emerged as a key player. Last year brought new opportunities for Jake Ferguson, who seized the moment impressively, leaving fans optimistic about the tight end situation heading into this summer.

We are currently rolling out our lineup breakdown series as we prepare for training camp. Today, as you may have guessed, we are focusing on the tight end group. You can read about any previous workouts we’ve conducted right below. Additionally, I release videos discussing these topics every Tuesday and Thursday on the Blogging The Boys YouTube Channel.

Today’s discussion features two of the players we are analyzing (three if you include Dak Prescott) attending TE University, the league’s unofficial gathering for tight ends.

Assessing Jake Ferguson’s Role as the Cowboys’ Tight End

Initially, there wasn’t widespread confidence in Jake Ferguson as the solution for the Cowboys’ tight end dilemma before the start of last season. This hesitance wasn’t necessarily due to doubts about Ferguson’s abilities, but rather because he seemed to be the next man up following Dalton Schultz’s departure.

To his credit, Ferguson proved the skeptics wrong by becoming a reliable contributor to the offense, which saw the Cowboys achieve significant success throughout the season. While he recorded only five touchdowns—a slight drop from Schultz’s best season with eight touchdowns in 2021—Ferguson clearly demonstrated that he possesses starting-level talent.

Beyond the statistics, Ferguson has also emerged as a player with a strong presence within the Cowboys’ offense. He has displayed an aggressive demeanor on the field, eager to challenge opponents head-on. A memorable moment was when he was all over Jamal Adams during the Cowboys’ matchup against the Seattle Seahawks just after Thanksgiving, showcasing his physicality, which is a valuable asset to the team’s overall dynamics.

Although Ferguson recorded only five touchdowns, he was remarkably effective in terms of yardage. He reached the 750-yard receiving mark, a feat that has been rare in the franchise’s history outside of Dalton Schultz’s impressive season and the legendary Jason Witten’s career.

Ferguson has solidified his position as a starter on this team. If we were to categorize superstars like CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons into their own elite tier, one could argue that Ferguson occupies the next level of importance on the depth chart.

Ultimately, the situation regarding the tight end position hinges less on Ferguson and more on the uncertainties surrounding the players behind him.

Evaluating Luke Schoonmaker’s Potential as a Second-Year Tight End

Most NFL teams expect their second-year, second-round draft picks to be significant contributors, but the Dallas Cowboys operate under unique circumstances.

The fact that Ferguson delivered a standout season right after the Cowboys selected Luke Schoonmaker makes the situation feel even more frustrating for fans. It is uncommon for a second-round pick to enter their second year with lingering questions about their role, yet here we find ourselves.

Schoonmaker recorded eight receptions on just 15 targets during his rookie season. Fortunately, two of those receptions resulted in touchdowns, although one play will be remembered for the wrong reasons: a missed touchdown in an important game against Philadelphia. His offseason began with shoulder surgery, similar to fellow Michigan alumnus Mazi Smith, and he faced additional challenges, missing OTAs due to a hamstring injury. It’s worth noting that he also had a foot issue prior to the start of his rookie season.

While the outlook may seem somewhat concerning, Schoonmaker remains a second-round pick, which means he will likely receive ample opportunities to prove himself as a valuable asset to the team. For now, optimism is all we have, but there’s potential for him to ultimately prove his worth.

Peyton Hendershot: The Underrated Tight End

During the 2023 season, it appeared that Dallas had discovered their answer for life after Dalton Schultz in more ways than one. With rookies Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot making their mark, the decision to let Schultz walk became more palatable.

Ferguson received recognition, while Schoonmaker was groomed, leaving Hendershot in a precarious position. He only participated in eight games last season and underwent a minor procedure this offseason, causing him to miss the mandatory minicamp. Hendershot may find himself squeezed out by players who are viewed as more essential to the team’s future.

This situation happens frequently across various position groups in the NFL. While youth can be an asset on rosters for many reasons, including financial considerations, Hendershot’s status as an undrafted free agent two years ago means he isn’t a costly asset. The Cowboys have been eyeing tight ends for over a year, and given that Hendershot has less job security than Ferguson or Schoonmaker, he could end up resembling the new version of Sean McKeon, potentially being phased out.

We will be releasing videos analyzing position groups on the Dallas Cowboys roster every Tuesday and Thursday for the next few weeks as we approach training camp. Be sure to subscribe to the Blogging The Boys YouTube Channel (which you can do right here) to stay updated.

Keeping an Eye on John Stephens Jr.’s Recovery

This is certainly a player to watch closely. Last year, John Stephens Jr. captured the attention of nearly every Cowboys fan, looking like an undrafted free agent who could follow in the footsteps of previous success stories. Unfortunately, he suffered a torn ACL in the same game where the team lost linebacker DeMarvion Overshown.

Stephens Jr. offers a legitimate red zone threat, and consistently demonstrating that ability is vital for securing a spot on an NFL roster. If he can regain the form he showed last training camp and early in the preseason, he stands to earn a roster spot, potentially displacing Hendershot.

Stephen Jones has consistently praised Stephens Jr. during the offseason, indicating that the team’s management holds him in high regard, which bodes well for his chances of making the roster.

However, returning from a torn ACL is challenging, which necessitates caution for both him and Overshown. The upcoming camp in Oxnard will be a crucial test.

Spotlight on Brevyn Spann-Ford: The Undrafted Free Agent

Following the NFL draft, the Cowboys signed undrafted free agent tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford from Minnesota. The terms of his deal are significant.

Spann-Ford reportedly became one of the highest-paid undrafted free agents in this year’s class, which speaks volumes about the Cowboys’ intentions regarding his future with the team:

• The Cowboys clearly wanted to ensure they secured his talents
• This indicates they didn’t want to miss out on him
• Thus, he stands a good chance to make the final roster

While these are assumptions based on financial commitment, it is often said that money talks when forecasting outcomes. Given the team’s investment in Spann-Ford, he appears to be positioned to receive valuable opportunities to prove himself.

Of course, circumstances can change, but Spann-Ford possesses attributes on the field that are likely to endear him to the Cowboys even further. He is an excellent blocker and can significantly contribute to the run game, which is precisely what is expected from depth tight ends.

Spann-Ford is a compelling prospect and is definitely a name to keep an eye on. It seems that at least one, if not two, roster spots will be contested between him, Stephens Jr., and Hendershot.

The Long Shot: Princeton Fant and Alec Holler

At this point, it should be clear that any other players on the Cowboys’ roster will have to do something exceptional to stand out and are likely vying for a practice squad position at best. Princeton Fant and Alec Holler face a steep uphill battle, much like many players in the past who have managed to carve out a place for themselves.

Is that possibility here? Could things take an unpredictable turn? The tight end position tends to be one of the more stable spots on the team, especially at the top, although there are significant questions regarding Luke Schoonmaker.

That’s the thing; while there are certainly uncertainties at tight end, we understand the dynamics involved and can anticipate potential answers. Hopefully, someone will surprise us in a positive way during training camp.