Dallas Cowboys rookie's play allows them to move on from free agent
The Dallas Cowboys have a very-highly sought after unrestricted free agent class. Players like RB Tony Pollard, S Donovan Wilson, G Connor McGovern and DL Dante Fowler make up a very interesting group of players that the Cowboys would love to keep, but may get priced out. Perhaps none more so than TE Dalton Schultz. […]
The Dallas Cowboys have a very-highly sought after unrestricted free agent class. Players like RB Tony Pollard, S Donovan Wilson, G Connor McGovern and DL Dante Fowler make up a very interesting group of players that the Cowboys would love to keep, but may get priced out.
Perhaps none more so than TE Dalton Schultz. Who for the third year in a row proved himself as one of the best tight ends in the game with 57 receptions, 577 yards and five touchdowns, all while missing time and playing through an injured PCL for most of the season.
After playing the entire 2022 season on the franchise tag, it's unlikely that Schultz will go through that a second time. Unless the Cowboys can come to terms on an extension, which is uncertain given Schultz's more than $15 million per year market value.
The Dallas Cowboys may be more likely to let him walk in free agency and pick up the (likely) third round compensatory pick in 2024. Especially after the play of rookie TE Jake Ferguson.
For much of the year, Ferguson and fellow rookie TE Peyton Hendershot (called 'Fergashot') combined for a great pair of dual rookie outings. However, it was the impressive overall play of Ferguson that may make Schultz expendable.
Being perhaps the Dallas Cowboys most complete tight end from a receiving and run blocking standpoint.
Ferguson was often asked to block the edge and second level linebacker, anchoring the edges in run blocking. Often as the Cowboys best outside run blocker.
As a receiver, Ferguson only had 22 targets all season. However, what he did with them is what's so impressive. Only 80 yards less yards after the catch than Schultz, despite 75% less targets and the highest YAC percentage among qualified receivers on the team (71.3%).
The highest rated receiver by Cowboys quarterbacks when targets (129.9), with the lowest drop percentage (0.0%) among the same qualifiers.
Great results in small sample sizes.
Even if Schultz's targets shares going into next season were to be divided between both Ferguson and Hendershot equally, it would give the Cowboys two tight ends with great numbers.
Equaling out to 58 reception, 614 yards and seven touchdowns for Ferguson, and 41 receptions for 384 yards and six touchdowns for Hendershot. Much of the same expectations the Cowboys had for the combination of Schultz and Blake Jarwin.
A lot of the best tight end play came from the combination of 'Fergushot'. It's the overall play of Ferguson as a blocker and a threat with the ball that allows the Cowboys to not need to extend Schultz, but rather that they will want to.
For all the weapons the Dallas Cowboys desperately need on offense, having this young tight end is an enormous plus for the future.
Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck of USA TODAY Sports
