Cowboys ‘Should Not’ Draft TE Luke Musgrave; Why Not?

The Dallas Cowboys are on the hunt for a new tight end in this year’s NFL Draft … but must be careful not to draft based on need.

Dalton Schultz played last season on the franchise tag, finishing with 57 receptions, 577 yards, and five touchdowns, but after joining the Houston Texans in free agency, Dallas may look to fill the hole in their offense.

In a recent Bleacher Report article, Oregon State’s Luke Musgrave was listed as a player that the Cowboys should avoid drafting to replace Schultz.

But … why not?

“The 2023 class is both loaded with tight end talent and deep at the position. If the Cowboys dip into the talent pool early, though, they need to find a tight end who can make an immediate impact,” BR said.

Musgrave ran a 4.61-second 40-yard dash at 6-6 and 253 pounds at the NFL Combine but lacked much production in college, having only 633 receiving yards and two touchdowns to show for his 20 games.

#OregonState TE Luke Musgrave is such an interesting eval, became a focal feature part of their offense late in 2021 that carried over to his only 2 games into 2022.

Vertical ability up the seams, but also in the threat in boundary — ran double move vs Oregon, Fresno State. pic.twitter.com/NUSGTKHmc7
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) April 10, 2023

“He will need to add weight and muscle in order to handle himself in traffic and over the middle of the field,” BR said.

Rather than draft a project at tight end, Dallas may look to develop young players already on their roster, such as Jake Ferguson or Peyton Hendershot.

Ferguson and Hendershot each scored twice in their first NFL season, tying Musgrave’s college touchdown total in fewer games despite playing against professional defenders.

If the Cowboys draft a tight end early, maybe it will be a player with proven receiving ability, such as Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer or Utah’s Dalton Kincaid.

Reaching to draft a project player at the tight end position wouldn’t make sense, as Dallas looks to be in win-now mode after trading for veteran players such as Brandin Cooks this offseason. But what we don’t yet know: Is it the league, or the media, that thinks Musgrave is that reach?

You can follow Isaiah DeAnda Delgado on Twitter and Instagram @IsaiahDDelgado.

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