Dallas Cowboys Player Profile: Luke Schoonmaker’s roster chances set the stage for intense training camp battle
The former second-round pick needs to prove he can be much better than he was in his first three seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. Can he do it?
The Dallas Cowboys’ firepower on offense comes from the wide receiver corp. But tight end will take the cake for the most intense training camp battle over the summer. And former second-round pick Luke Schoonmaker will be a huge part of it.
Let’s dive into his Cowboys player profile going into a potentially career-defining season for him.
Luke Schoonmaker player profile
- Age: 27
- Year: 4th
- Position: Tight end
- College: Michigan
- Jersey Number: 86
Schoonmaker was drafted in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft and is one of two players from that class still on the Cowboys roster. The question is for how long?
Schoonmaker failed to live up to the expectations that come with being a second-round pick over the first three years of his career. To remain on the team in 2026, he will have to change the course a 27 years old (he turns 28 in late September), something he is aware of.
When he was drafted, the door was open for him to compete for a starting spot against Jake Ferguson, who ended up winning the battle and signing a $52 million extension last year. Meanwhile, in three years with the Cowboys, Schoonmaker has 49 catches in 51 games, finding the end zone only three times.
Contract details
Schoonmaker enters the final year on his rookie deal in 2026. His base salary sits at $1.6 million for the season and he carries a cap hit of $1.99 million. There’s no guaranteed salary left on his deal.
Roster outlook
Despite a very team-friendly deal, Schoonmaker’s spot on the 53-man roster isn’t guaranteed. As of today, I project him to be TE3 at best.
Ferguson is the proven starter. Even after less explosive 2025, he still scored eight touchdowns and is a preferred Dak Prescott target. Meanwhile, Brevyn Spann-Ford is an ascending TE2 who put on impressive film in the blocking department last year.
For Schoonmaker to make the team, he will have to prove he’s the third best tight end on the team or convince the Cowboys to go long at the position (ranking fifth on special teams snap count last year may help, but Dallas will have other options). Those options include undrafted rookie Michael Trigg, who signed for the most guaranteed money out of anyone in this year’s Cowboys UDFA class.
With CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens at wide receiver, it will be rare for the Cowboys to get on 13 personnel (three tight ends) looks. The Cowboys ranked 24th in 13 personnel rate last year, per SumerSports.
Schoonmaker’s biggest advantage is his previous NFL experience and his knowledge of the offense. But can he be good enough for the Cowboys to risk losing Trigg on waivers? As of today, I believe it’s close to a coin toss, but I give him better chances of making the team because of his experience and because of the chance the Cowboys carry four tight ends instead of three.
Roster chances: 56%