The 2024 Dallas Cowboys are looking on young players on the roster to come up and help the team improve after a slow offseason in terms of recruits. This is unquestionably the case at tight end, where they require both the potential influence of their backup and the great rookie to emerge. Having just played in two seasons, Jake Ferguson is already one of the league’s rising stars at tight end. He finished 2023 in the top 10 TEs in catches, yards, and touchdowns; WR CeeDee Lamb was the only other Cowboys receiver with more receptions and yards. Ferguson plays with an intensity that thrills his teammates and endears them despite his lack of stature.Ferguson, who is arguably the best player to fill the position in Dallas since Jason Witten, has already proven himself worthy of the team’s reward for using that 2022 fourth-round pick. However, he still has to go one step further to become one of the game’s best tight ends, with players like George Kittle and Travis Kelce. Entering only his third season, he’s among the league’s greatest possibilities to rise, and the Cowboys might need every bit of his development this year. Dallas’ problematic wide receiver situation has been explored recently. The passing game may find the Cowboys lacking in potency if Jalen Tolbert’s progress and Brandin Cooks’ aging age prove to be problems. Ferguson seems to be the backup plan already.Ferguson is further under pressure in the event of a potential decrease in the run game. When it comes to third down, he could have to become QB Dak Prescott’s closest friend if we can’t count on Rico Dowdle or Ezekiel Elliott to provide consistent yardage. That’s not to suggest the RBs can’t play, especially with better blocking up front, but any setbacks there would emphasize how important Ferguson’s progress is. This obviously indicates that there is a serious risk that Ferguson will get hurt. And that’s where the remaining positions on the TE depth chart become important—not only as backup plans, but also for the possibility that they could be needed in support duties. Luke Schoonmaker, a second-round selection from the previous season who is hopefully Thankfully, Dallas has some other tight ends to keep an eye on. Converted receiver John Stephens Jr., who excited us in last year’s preseason, didn’t get to carry that into 2023 due to a knee injury. He’s reportedly on track for training camp. Now there’s undrafted rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford, a massive 6’7” target, who’s been getting positive buzz so far. And there’s Peyton Hendershot, who brings some needed experience to the competition.
Breaking News: For the Cowboys to succeed in 2024, TE Group must expand in all areas.
