With all due respect, someone has to be the least favorite. There’s nothing wrong with the Ringo Starrs, Ray Jacksons, or Andrew Ridgeleys of the world, but it’s just when placed on wildly iconic outfits such as The Beatles, The Fab Five, and Wham!, someone has to be last.
Such is the case with the Dallas Cowboys as well. No matter how loyal the fan, someone has to be the least favorite. And when looking at the 2026 roster this summer, that player is often identified as Luke Schoonmaker.
Schoonmaker, a former second-round pick, faced scrutiny from the moment he arrived in Dallas. The former Michigan tight end was overdrafted by most accounts and represented a major reach born of panic after a run of tight ends developed just in front of Dallas’ second pick back in 2023.
The Cowboys had recently parted ways with Dalton Schultz that offseason and weren’t quite sure if the overachieving second year tight end, Jake Ferguson, had it in him to be a TE1. They picked Schoonmaker because, like Schultz, he had a good physical profile and brought with him a high floor as a prospect.
As fortune would have it, Ferguson far exceeded all realistic expectations that year and Schoonmaker was relegated to complementary duties behind him. It’s a status Schoonmaker’s held throughout his rookie contract and it’s a status he takes into the last year of his deal in 2026.
At this point in the process, many fans are eager to turn the page on the soon-to-be 28-year-old. They are excited about the prospects of Brevyn Spann-Ford, Michael Trigg and DJ Rogers.
Spann-Ford is already well on his way to be the best blocking tight end in the NFL. Trigg has one of the most dazzling pass-catching skillsets in the league, while Rogers bring the athletic upside very few can claim. The excitement for these three ascending players is understandable given their ceilings and Schoonmaker’s modest plateau.
Heavy tight end packages only work if you have players versatile enough to be a legit receiving threat. Cowboys’ new TE Michael Trigg provides that type of threat. pic.twitter.com/qAEZoywQfS
— Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) July 12, 2026
The Cowboys may even hold a similar view on the situation, but there’s one thing still keeping Schoonmaker’s foot firmly in the door and that’s his well-rounded skillset. Like Ferguson at TE1, Schoonmaker is a prototypical Y tight end who can block and catch with equal proficiency. Spann-Ford is a one-dimensional blocker, and the two rookies appear to be one-dimensional pass catchers right now.
Blueprint for greatness🗺️
DJ Rogers NFL Draft Tape 🎞️#Big12FB | @TCUFootballpic.twitter.com/7XhceNldHN— Big 12 Studios (@big12studios) April 22, 2026
Schoonmaker might be no better than TE3 entering camp and TE6 in the hearts and minds of Cowboys Nation, but if something were to happen to Ferguson this season, Schoonmaker might actually be the favorite to take over as the starter. Until Spann-Ford can show he’s an adequate target, Schoonmaker can at least feel fairly secure with his roster spot.
Brevyn Spann-Ford hands pic.twitter.com/TlvXSmw1Ks
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) July 29, 2026
Early returns in training camp show Spann-Ford is on mission to prove he’s a pass-catching threat. At 6-foot-7, 270 pounds, he’s by far the largest and most imposing of the group. If he can just show consistency as an average pass-catcher, he might be able to bump Schoonmaker off the roster altogether.
For now, Schoonmaker’s safe because he’s the only one bringing a well-rounded skillset to the table after Ferguson. But that could change in an instant.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Not Dead Yet: Cowboys fans target of ire still alive in roster fight
