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Cowboys tight end roster review: Jake Ferguson’s rise makes Dallas’ job easy this offseason

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Cowboys tight end roster review: Jake Ferguson’s rise makes Dallas’ job easy this offseason


The 2024 offseason comes with many question marks for the Dallas Cowboys roster, but the tight end position is one they won’t need to worry over. Thanks to Jake Ferguson’s ascension as the starter and young depth under contract, TE is one of the team’s strengths as it prepares for its next campaign.

Ferguson’s excellent first year as TE1 was just capped with being named a Pro Bowl alternate. Just two seasons in, the former fourth-round pick has already made us forget Dalton Schultz and looks like the best to man the position since Jason Witten. He’s also one of the team’s best bargains on a Day 3 rookie contract; even a likely bump in pay from performance escalators won’t change that.

You almost have to feel bad for Luke Schoonmaker, who didn’t ask to be drafted in the second round or by a team that already had its guy. He’ll have a hard time justifying the draft position in Ferguson’s shadow, but the front office deserves the criticism there. At the very least, Schoonmaker is a talented backup who’s also provided solid work as a run blocker. His offensive role could expand in his second season and allow Dallas to exploit matchup problems.

TEs Under Contract for 2024

  • Jake Ferguson – $1.16m cap hit
  • Luke Schoonmaker – $1.42m cap hit
  • Peyton Hendershot- $990k cap hit
  • John Stephens – $916k cap hit
  • Princeton Fant – $795k cap hit

Even beyond the top two, things are pretty solid overall. Peyton Hendershot has proven effective when targeted and a good runner after the catch. We’re also intrigued to see if John Stephens Jr., a TE/WR hybrid, can come back from a preseason ACL tear and build on the strong receiving work he showed last year. Prospect Princeton Fant, an undrafted free agent last year, is also back after spending 2023 on the practice squad.

One thing we can almost guarantee this spring is that Dallas won’t be making any big moves at tight end. Their top two are set and they could ride with the current depth. At most, we’ll probably see them add a few camp bodies from this year’s UDFA crop or maybe a very late-round pick for a player they really like.

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If the Cowboys were to make any move in free agency, it might be to re-sign Sean McKeon for experienced depth or bring in someone with more proven blocking ability. That is the one issue with Hendershot and Stephens as depth options, which could be a factor as improving the run will be an offseason focus for the team.

Whatever minor tweaks come, Jake Ferguson and Luke Schoonmaker make life relatively easy for Dallas’ front office this offseason. The Cowboys can direct attention and resources elsewhere on the roster, confident in what they’ve already established at the top of the TE depth chart.



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Death penalty off the table for man accused of beheading Dallas motel manager, prosecutors say

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Death penalty off the table for man accused of beheading Dallas motel manager, prosecutors say


Prosecutors will not seek the death penalty against the man accused of beheading a Dallas motel manager last September, authorities said. Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, 37, admitted to using a machete to attack and kill his co-worker at the Downtown Suites on Samuell Boulevard during an argument, according to investigators.



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Top 10 Dallas Cowboys of 2026: Rashan Gary is Complete EDGE Dallas Needed

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Top 10 Dallas Cowboys of 2026: Rashan Gary is Complete EDGE Dallas Needed


In need of help on the edge, the Dallas Cowboys tried to make a huge move this offseason. They made multiple attempts to trade for Las Vegas Raiders superstar Maxx Crosby, but were never able to get a deal done.

Once that one was off the table, they decided to send a fourth round pick to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for veteran Rashan Gary. The move was criticized, which is rather confusing when you think about it. Dallas gave up a mid-round pick, and reworked his contract to where it hardly makes any impact on a salary cap. They also filled a position of a great need with a player who might not threaten to lead the league in sacks, but is well-rounded and can help against the run just as much as he does when rushing the passer.

Gary is entering his eighth season in the league and has 271 tackles and 46.5 sacks. He’s coming off another solid campaign, which is why he’s No. 9 on our list of top 10 players on the Cowboys’ roster.

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Rashan Gary 2025 review

Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Rashan Gary against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
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Gary’s numbers in 2025 were respectable, but could be misleading. He was on pace to record 18 sacks, as he had 7.5 through the first seven games of the year. He then disappeared for the final nine games, recording no sacks while struggling to generate pressure.

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That led to his season as a whole being considered rather disappointing, which is why the Packers were willing to move on. It’s also why Dallas was able to convince him to take a pay cut after he joined their team. What was most frustrating for Green Bay was the fact that they needed him to step up when Micah Parsons suffered a torn ACL late in the year and Gary was unable to do so.

Rashan Gary 2026 prediction

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Green Bay Packers defensive end Rashan Gary celebrates during the season opener against the Detroit Lions. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

One thing critics of the move are failing to see is the fact that Dallas doesn’t need Gary to record double-digit sacks. They need him to be the veteran voice for a group of young pass rushers who are trying to find their footing in the league.

Second year player, Donovan Ezeiruaku, and rookie Malachi Lawrence both have the talent to be game-changers off of the edge. What they don’t have, is the experience. That’s where Gary comes in.

As those two continue to develop, Gary will be the stabilizing veteran force who can make plays on early downs, while also being disruptive as a pass rusher. We can’t ignore the struggles that he had in 2025, but perhaps the change of scenery will give him some motivation to turn back the clock. And Dallas didn’t have to give up much to give him that opportunity.

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Former Dallas ISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa runs for Dallas Mayor

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Former Dallas ISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa runs for Dallas Mayor


Former Dallas ISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa announced that he is running for Mayor of Dallas on Monday.

Hinojosa says the city needs experienced leadership to address the budget challenges and pro sports teams leaving Downtown Dallas.

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Addressing Dallas’ budget and pro sports team

Local perspective:

Michael Hinojosa served two stints as superintendent of Dallas ISD, totaling 13 years. He told FOX 4 that he officially filed paperwork to enter the race and plans to formally launch his campaign at a Tuesday morning news conference at Dallas City Hall.

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Hinojosa points to financial track record at Dallas ISD

What they’re saying:

Hinojosa cited his tenure leading Dallas ISD as evidence of his financial management experience, saying the district’s reserves grew from about $32 million when he took over in 2005 to nearly $1 billion in obligated and unobligated fund balances by the time he left.

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“I think that it’s really important for this community to know that we’re at an inflection point and that the city and the community need a strong, proven leader,” Hinojosa said.

He pointed to the city’s budget shortfall, employee furloughs and concerns over major sports franchises potentially leaving downtown as examples of challenges facing Dallas.

He said solving the city’s challenges would require coalition-building and pledged to focus on issues important to residents, taxpayers and businesses.

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“I believe that a vision is a dream with a deadline,” Hinojosa said, adding that if elected he would aim to address the city’s biggest challenges within two terms.

Campaign announcement at Dallas City Hall

What’s next:

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Hinojosa said he will outline his priorities during a 10 a.m. campaign announcement on Tuesday, July 14, at Dallas City Hall.

The Source: Information in this article was provided by an interview conducted by FOX 4’s Shaun Rabb.

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