Cowboys BREAKING: Rookie Luke Schoonmaker Signs $6.2 Million Contract; New TE 'Alpha Pass-Catcher'?
FRISCO - Former Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten left the Cowboys and rode away into retirement back in 2019 before joining ESPN on Monday Night Football in 2020. Ever since his departure from Dallas, the Cowboys have been trying to replicate his production at the position.
Blake Jarwin and Dalton Schultz couldn't quite do it. Schultz came close in some ways. But both dealt with injuries during their tenures in Dallas. And now, a trio of veterans and a rookie hope to help.
Second-year players Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot, along with young vet Sean McKeon and rookie Luke Schoonmaker, hope to fill the shoes of Witten.
Schoonmaker will get his chance to show off his wares with this weekend's rookie minicamp at The Star and he will do it with the contract he signed on Thursday, a slotted four-year deal worth about $6.2 million.
Now, who is going to be the "a;h
And one might have a better (Hender)shot than the rest (pun intended). According to USA Today, Hendershot might be primed to be the Cowboys' alpha pass-catcher in 2023.
"Early analysis says Hendershot is the top pass-catcher on the Cowboys depth chart. His 11 receptions for 103 yards may not look like much but his skill set stands out above the rest. Sean McKeon is a blocking specialist, Jake Ferguson is well-rounded but leans more as a blocker and the rookie Schoonmaker is a blocker until proven otherwise.
"Rated as one of the top pass-catchers in the 2022 draft class, Hendershot went undrafted for a couple of reasons, some of which were not football related. But his ability to create separation and make plays downfield cannot be questioned."
Each team needs its share of blockers and pass-catchers at the tight end position, but Dallas might focus more on the pass-catching aspect in order to help quarterback Dak Prescott along in 2023. Prescott and Witten shared a unique chemistry that made both successful during their time together in Dallas.
USA Today continues, "When the Cowboys drafted Schoonmaker with the No. 58 pick, Hendershot likely breathed a slight sigh of relief. While the Michigan TE likely knocks Hendershot back down to TE3 in the pecking order, he doesn’t really represent direct competition at what Hendershot does best.
"Hendershot is a receiving TE Dallas hopes to make into a blocker. Schoonmaker is a blocking TE the Cowboys hope to develop into a pass-catcher. Their strengths don’t overlap at the moment, but rather they complement one another."
We're not sure the Cowboys quite see it that way; if Schoonmaker doesn't emerge sooner rather than later as a superior player to the guys on the roster, the use of a second-round pick on him will merit criticism.
Still, last season might have solidified Hendershot as a pass catcher. He lined up inline (186 snaps), in the slot (93 snaps) and even wide (20 snaps) all while playing a significant role on special teams.
In 2022, he showed his ability to get open and collect yards after the catch averaging 4.5 YAC (yards after catch) per reception and providing a 103.6 passer rating when targeted.
Ferguson isn't Jason Witten. Hendershot isn't Jason Witten. Schoonmaker isn't Jason Witten. But in 2023, somebody who has the ability to become an "alpha'' on some level is going to get a chance for a significant role for Prescott and the Cowboys.
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