FRISCO, Texas – The Cowboys have added nearly 30 new players to the roster over the last two months, from a collection of free-agent signings, draft picks, undrafted free agents and even a few trades.
All in all, a third of the 90-man roster has been overhauled since mid-March, creating quite a few changes to each position.
Over the next few weeks, we'll take a closer look at where things stand at each position. The Cowboys won't release a depth chart until the first preseason game in August, so the following order of players is simply a projection, which of course, is always subject to change. Let's continue the series with the tight end position:
- Jake Ferguson
- Luke Schoonmaker
- Brevyn Spann-Ford
- Princeton Fant
- Tyler Neville
- John Stephens, Jr.
- Rivaldo Fairweather
Battle to Watch: Below Ferguson's throne as TE1, throw a coin at a tight end on this roster and they're fighting for either reps or a roster spot altogether. Schoonmaker took large strides in the absence(s) of Ferguson due to injury, however, so assume he's secure as well. Spann-Ford continues developing but against rookies Tyler Neville and Rivaldo Fairweather, as Princeton Fant looks to continue showing silent value on special teams and as arguably the best in-line blocker of the group; and will John Stephens Jr. find a way to remain healthy after tearing the same ACL twice?
Time is Now: I keep landing on Stephens here, and for the aforementioned reason regarding his health. His size and ability to be a threat for the Cowboys' offense showed itself in his first training camp, back in 2023, and he put on muscle to aid in his blocking ahead of his return in 2024, but his affected knee simply hasn't allowed him to settle in and make any waves outside of Oxnard. The hope is he can turn heads this summer but, more importantly, well beyond it.
Trait-Mark: Athleticism is the name of the game at the tight end position in Dallas. For while Jason Witten became a Hall of Famer without having to be in the same vein as Tony Gonzales or Antonio Gates, the new class at the position is easily one of the most athletic groups the Cowboys have employed, from top to bottom. They're tasked with being able to both block well and peel off and become a dynamic weapon at receiver.
Don't Forget About … the added motivation that exists with Neville — having literally overcome deafness and lymphoma to ultimately get his chance at being a professional football player. In the grand scheme of reasons to excel, as the rookie also looks to continue inspiring others who are battling what he once did, Neville's story serves as gargantuan motivation to try and stick to the roster in Dallas.
