Jake Ferguson’s new contract should be a happy day for the Cowboys front office. A fourth round pick turned into Dak Prescott’s security blanket for the future.
But beneath the high-fives and congratulations is an underhanded admittance that Dallas whiffed on a draft pick not too long ago.
A year after Ferguson was drafted, the Cowboys selected tight end Luke Schoonmaker in the second round of the 2023 draft. At the time, Ferguson only had 19 receptions for 174 yards his rookie year. Dalton Schultz was the starter that season but the Cowboys moved on from him.
Schoonmaker, out of the University of Michigan, was expected to be an excellent blocking and pass-catching tight end. Instead it was Ferguson who stood out as a secure target over the middle while Schoonmaker struggled.
The former Wolverine only had 27 receptions for 241 yards and one touchdown last season. He hasn’t proven worthy of a second round investment.
Luke Schoonmaker pic.twitter.com/6PE9InfgU1
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) July 26, 2025
The Ferguson contract shows the Cowboys front office is admitting defeat on Schoonmaker. He has two years left on his rookie deal and still has a chance to prove himself, but Ferguson has taken the mantle as the primary tight end.
It will take an injury or catastrophic shift if Dallas was to ever view Schoonmaker as a good pick. It’s a rare miss for a front office that has drafted some elite talent.
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