Cowboys Depth Chart: Question marks remain at tight end behind Jake Ferguson
In the Cowboys Depth Chart series, we will take a look at each position group to determine which players are safe, on the bubble or have work to do in terms of making the 53-man roster coming out of training camp in late August.
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At the tight end position, a turbulent year around him in 2024 didn't allow for any consistency for Jake Ferguson, especially when factoring in his injuries. Behind him, Luke Schoonmaker never found consistent reps and Brevyn Spann-Ford was used in situational blocking opportunities.
Here is a look at the tight end position group heading into training camp.
SAFE (3)
Jake Ferguson, Brevyn Spann-Ford, Luke Schoonmaker
Heading into a contract year, Jake Ferguson has added motivation to either return to his Pro Bowl level of play that he displayed in 2023 or to elevate from that. He remains the clear first option in the passing game and should see the majority of snaps in both passing and heavy personnel packages.
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Behind him, a battle awaits in Oxnard, as second-year undrafted Brevyn Spann-Ford has made an offseason push to be the second option ahead of 2023 second-round pick Luke Schoonmaker. If he is able to surpass Schoonmaker on the depth chart, it may put the Michigan product closer to the bubble than he's been going into his third NFL season.
ON THE BUBBLE (2)
John Stephens Jr., Princeton Fant
If Schottenheimer decides to take three tight ends, then the bubble obviously shrinks. But if he sticks with carrying four tight ends like his predecessor Mike McCarthy did, then one of these two names will have a great shot at sneaking onto the 53-man roster.
Before tearing his ACL in each of the last two training camps, John Stephens Jr. had excited the coaching staff enough in training camp and preseason to be on pace to make the roster. But after back-to-back major knee injuries, can he bring the same juice in the receiving game in his third training camp? The advantage he will have is his unique ability to stretch the field from the tight end spot, hence why he earned the nickname 'Stretch' at training camp in 2023.
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In 10 career games, Princeton Fant has shown value on special teams in all four phases. On offense, he has only seen the field for 14 career snaps with all coming in blocking situations. For him to crack the 53-man roster, he will need to flash some offensive value, but he'll have a leg up with his experience on special teams.
WORK TO DO (2)
Rivaldo Fairweather, Tyler Neville
As undrafted rookies, Rivaldo Fairweather and Tyler Neville have an uphill battle at corralling the final roster spot in the tight end room. But with an encouraging performance in the preseason and unfulfilled expectations above them on the depth chart, either could inch closer toward that being a reality.
Fairweather brings some intriguing red zone value on offense while Neville has flashed blocking ability, but they will need to show big special teams value to earn the final roster spot in the position room. With not a lot of clarity on certain placements on the depth chart above them, there could be an inside track with a strong start in Oxnard.
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