Cowboys' UDFA signings could cost second-year player his job
When looking at how the Dallas Cowboys' 2023 draft class will shake up the 53-man roster when it's all said and done, you have to look at the undrafted free-agent signings as well. After all, it's been widely regarded as one of the best UDFA classes of the year as the Cowboys continue to be […]
When looking at how the Dallas Cowboys' 2023 draft class will shake up the 53-man roster when it's all said and done, you have to look at the undrafted free-agent signings as well.
After all, it's been widely regarded as one of the best UDFA classes of the year as the Cowboys continue to be praised for the way they run such a critical stage of the NFL Draft weekend.
But there are a couple of undrafted free agents in particular that could cost one of the team's young promising weapons his job: Peyton Hendershot.
The second-year tight end that saw an unexpected 26% snap count as an undrafted rookie in 2022 will have to fight for his spot on the roster this year. Now it must be said that clearly, the Cowboys like Hendershot and he does have the inside track for the TE3 role after catching 11 catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie. Particularly in red zone and goal-line situations, Hendershot was a key part of the Cowboys' successful three and four tight end sets.
But the recently signed UDFA class is set to shake things up at the position due to two players: FB Hunter Luepke and TE Princeton Fant.
Let's start with Luepke, who was guaranteed $200,000 by the Cowboys while becoming one of the highest-paid UDFAs of the year. Of course, we've got to start with the elephant in the room: He's not even a tight end, what does he have to do with Hendershot?
Well, Luepke projects as a pass-catching fullback that could take on an H-back-type role when needed. The H-back is a player that sets back from the line of scrimmage while being some sort of FB/TE hybrid who primarily blocks and catches the football. Luepke seems to be able to do that consistently.
He won't only impact the RB room but the TE room as well.
If the Cowboys carry the former North Dakota State running back on the roster -which appears very likely considering the money and Mike McCarthy's style of offense- it might mean the team will have to go light at tight end by carrying just three guys at the position. Otherwise, carrying a fourth tight end to take on an H-back role could be redundant.
But wait, why are we worried about a fourth tight end? Hendershot is expected to be TE3, no?
You're right. And this is where Princeton Fant comes in.
The former Tennessee Vol faces an uphill battle as an undrafted rookie but his SEC tape shows enough flashes for us to not rule him out automatically. Not to mention, he also fits what the Cowboys like to do pretty well. More than anything, however, he's got the traits to make a push as a special teamer.
With Hendershot playing in 62% of the Cowboys' special teams snaps (fourth-most on the team), it's clear that's where most of this offseason battle could end up being decided.
Ultimately, I expect Hendershot to make the team. In fact, he's in my way-too-early 53-man roster projection. But his job might not be that safe as Fant could make a surprise push for the job and the Cowboys might go short at the position in the initial roster.
