While the Cowboys weren't exactly quiet during free agency this spring, there is still plenty of work to do for this team that finished 7-9-1 in 2025.
Not only did they add some key players in free agency and via trades, but they also re-signed some of the core depth as well.
Still, there are other guys on this team that must take that next step in order for the Cowboys to be successful in 2026.
Today, we'll continue the Next Man Up series with tight end Luke Schoonmaker.
- Name: Luke Schoonmaker
- Position: Tight End
- Experience: 4th Year
- Games Played/Starts: 51 / 13
- Years Left on Contract: 1
- How Acquired: 2023 2nd-round pick 58th-overall (Louisiana)
- Key Stat: Has never missed a game in his career, playing all 17 games in each of his first three seasons.
The Past: Drafted in the second round of 2023, Schoonmaker hasn't exactly lived up to the expecations of a normal second-round pick. Then again, it can't all be considered his fault. The Cowboys drafted Schoonmaker with the idea he would compete with Jake Ferguson, who was drafted in the fourth round one year ahead of him and had 19 catches as a rookie. As it turned out, Ferguson exploded in his Year 2, catching 71 passes while Schoonmaker was adjusting as a rookie and being used more in the "12 personnel" packages with two tight ends. Schoonmaker did have eight catches, including two touchdowns as a rookie.
Then in 2024, his second year saw a big jump in production for Schoonmaker, who had 27 catches. He thrived in the role as the starter when Ferguson was injured, having a pair of six-reception games with Ferguson out. This past year, Schoonmaker did not find the end zone once, catching just 14 passes. Still, while injuries have limited his time in the offseason at times, Schoonmaker has never missed a regular-season game, playing in all 51.
The Present: Entering his fourth year, Schoonmaker's role still remains somewhat unclear. And it's not became he is expected to compete much with Ferguson ahead of him but more about the guys behind him. The Cowboys, mainly with the help of TE coach Lunda Wells, have a knack for developing undrafted tight ends and the latest is Brevyn Spann-Ford, who has overwhelming size and agility that he has displayed in two years.
Spann-Ford will likely push for playing time and that could affect Schoonmaker's time on the field as well. Then again, Schoonmaker is a solid blocker and has a role on the field. If anything, the Cowboys look to have some solid depth at tight end and Schoonmaker finds himself right in the middle of it.
The Future: Ultimately, this part is up to Schoonmaker. What his future looks like will probably be determined in how things go for him this season. We've seen plenty of players – on this team and around the league – that seem to have their best season of their career in a "contract year." And it's not just because the player is more motivated than ever, but he's also probably in the best position to succeed because of his experience. In Schoonmaker's case, his evaluation isn't easy because of the success in Jake Ferguson's game ahead of him.
But when Schoonmaker has played and even started, there's a difference in his production. Of the 13 career starts, he has 24 receptions, including four of his top five catch-games. Add that with a player who has stayed healthy throughout the year and is an effective blocker, and there's definitely a future for Schoonmaker. This year should determine if that remains in Dallas or not.
