Cowboys selected Michigan Luke Schoonmaker with the No. 58 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Schoonmaker (6’5/251) didn’t break out as a pass-catcher until his final season at Michigan when he posted a 35-418-3 line through the air. It was his first and only season over 200 yards. Prior to 2022, Schoonmaker had spent most of his collegiate career honing his blocking skills. He is a confident and technically sound run-blocker with the size necessary to hold his own at the NFL level. As a pass-catcher, Pro Football Focus charted him with a 28.6-percent contested catch rate. For his size, that’s an awfully underwhelming number. He doesn’t offer much after the catch either. Schoonmaker’s strong athletic measurables (4.67 40, 3.81 three-cone, and 4.27 shuttle) will be put to good use when he takes on defenders in the trenches in the NFL, but his outlook as a pass-catcher is pedestrian at best.
Apr 28, 2023, 9:00 PM ET
I'd imagine so. Ferguson looked good in a limited role last year too. He's a decent value in TE premium or start 2 TE leagues.Isn’t Ferguson their starter now and will remain so over Schoonmaker?
Yes. People got it all wrong thinking Schoonmaker is just a blocker, he's not even great at that, more of an all around TE. He's also a better athlete then Ferguson. The draft capital was strong and he'll be 25 before end of his rookie season, I feel pretty sure the plan for his ascension up the depth chart is not one that involves a lot of time.I think Ferguson's a short term hurdle for Schoonmaker
I would rather throw a dart at a RB in the later rounds than draft Shoonmaker. Don't forget, the fantasy community had a little bit of hype for Ferguson too and he's the starter, so there is that.Waldman seemed to be a pretty big fan of the receiving upside. I think I would take Schoonmaker over Ferguson if I had to stash one today, but still trying to sort that out. I had a couple of early 3rds and have since moved one for a late 3rd & early 4th. The clustering up of two talented TEs here along with the GB selections of Musgrave & Kraft had a lot to do with that decision (RB crash as well). I think I'm in on any of these guys late 3rd / early 4th, probably out at the 3.1. I'm keeping the door open for the earlier selection and Musgrave and Schoonmaker are probably the two that I'm most intrigued by if I end up going that route.
Is it worth burning a mid-round pick on one of these rookie TEs to a stash? I don't know. Hard to ignore the draft capital that they got. Steering away from all of it and recovering guys like Bellinger, Noah Gray (or the likes of Jelani Woods, maybe even D-Wash or Ferguson) closer to the end of the draft is on the table. However, if I'm going to bother rostering a TE stash the draft capital would say Musgrave, Schoonmaker, and even Kraft have a better chance of coming in, but they're definitely not getting the clear runway that LaPorta and Mayer got.
You keep saying that but I don't agree.I would rather throw a dart at a RB in the later rounds than draft Shoonmaker. Don't forget, the fantasy community had a little bit of hype for Ferguson too and he's the starter, so there is that.
Ok, you feel Shoonmaker will be the starter, if not immediately, soon, and I disagree A RB dart throw is a better roster clogger than some TE you will never play.You keep saying that but I don't agree.I would rather throw a dart at a RB in the later rounds than draft Shoonmaker. Don't forget, the fantasy community had a little bit of hype for Ferguson too and he's the starter, so there is that.
Don't care if we agree, just not real big on presenting opinions as facts which you keep trying to do saying Ferguson is the starter. You are not presenting that as an opinion and it's clear distinction.Ok, you feel Shoonmaker will be the starter, if not immediately, soon, and I disagree A RB dart throw is a better roster clogger than some TE you will never play.You keep saying that but I don't agree.I would rather throw a dart at a RB in the later rounds than draft Shoonmaker. Don't forget, the fantasy community had a little bit of hype for Ferguson too and he's the starter, so there is that.
AgreeOk, you feel Shoonmaker will be the starter, if not immediately, soon, and I disagree A RB dart throw is a better roster clogger than some TE you will never play.You keep saying that but I don't agree.I would rather throw a dart at a RB in the later rounds than draft Shoonmaker. Don't forget, the fantasy community had a little bit of hype for Ferguson too and he's the starter, so there is that.
Perhaps Ferguson isn't the starter, but it sure seems that way to me.\
Don't care if we agree, just not real big on presenting opinions as facts which you keep trying to do saying Ferguson is the starter. You are not presenting that as an opinion and it's clear distinction.Ok, you feel Shoonmaker will be the starter, if not immediately, soon, and I disagree A RB dart throw is a better roster clogger than some TE you will never play.You keep saying that but I don't agree.I would rather throw a dart at a RB in the later rounds than draft Shoonmaker. Don't forget, the fantasy community had a little bit of hype for Ferguson too and he's the starter, so there is that.
I agree a RB is a better dart throw.
What do you want to bet that most FF players don't have the patience to wait until year 3 for a TE to develop? Should that be the case with Shoonmaker.Generally agree with the RB dart throws. However, there's only so many "preferred" late round (or undrafted) RB dart throws that I'm taking before I say that the Cowboys invested a 2nd round pick in a TE that has some outstanding measurables, and big time receiving upside according to a guy I trust more than anyone else in this forum to grind through the film.
Liked Ferguson and still do. Even Hendershot, to a much lesser degree, makes the situation less than perfect but I don't think either are reason not to even bother dipping a toe in the water. Early 3rd? Yeah, I probably want the RB dart throw. Late 3rd, early 4th, if I can get a 2nd round NFL pick there, sign me up.
I think it's a mistake to think that there's no chance you're getting any kind of feedback on the pick, because that's the way it has worked with TEs in the NFL., you won't know until Year 3. If you take Schoonmaker and he's ultimately a hit, there's very good chance you're getting a Dulcich or Okonkwo level of affirmation in his rookie year to remind you of why you're dedicating that roster spot. If you don't get that and you're only in to the tune of a 3rd, feel free to cut bait and move on. That's probably the outcome of the RB dart throw anyway.
What do you want to bet that most FF players don't have the patience to wait until year 3 for a TE to develop? Should that be the case with Shoonmaker.Generally agree with the RB dart throws. However, there's only so many "preferred" late round (or undrafted) RB dart throws that I'm taking before I say that the Cowboys invested a 2nd round pick in a TE that has some outstanding measurables, and big time receiving upside according to a guy I trust more than anyone else in this forum to grind through the film.
Liked Ferguson and still do. Even Hendershot, to a much lesser degree, makes the situation less than perfect but I don't think either are reason not to even bother dipping a toe in the water. Early 3rd? Yeah, I probably want the RB dart throw. Late 3rd, early 4th, if I can get a 2nd round NFL pick there, sign me up.
I think it's a mistake to think that there's no chance you're getting any kind of feedback on the pick, because that's the way it has worked with TEs in the NFL., you won't know until Year 3. If you take Schoonmaker and he's ultimately a hit, there's very good chance you're getting a Dulcich or Okonkwo level of affirmation in his rookie year to remind you of why you're dedicating that roster spot. If you don't get that and you're only in to the tune of a 3rd, feel free to cut bait and move on. That's probably the outcome of the RB dart throw anyway.
Historically speaking you usually know, and I mean high majority of the time, if you have something by at least end of year 2. Most TE's take a year two leap or they never do.I get the sense that your line of thinking is that anyone that drafts Schoonmaker isn't going to know heads or tails of what they have until Year 3.
Now that's a better way to phrase it to me. I don't agree and wonder what makes you think they'd take a 24-25 year old TE that high in the draft and feel so strongly it's a foregone conclusion he's not the starter but that's ok to disagree.Perhaps Ferguson isn't the starter, but it sure seems that way to me.\
Don't care if we agree, just not real big on presenting opinions as facts which you keep trying to do saying Ferguson is the starter. You are not presenting that as an opinion and it's clear distinction.Ok, you feel Shoonmaker will be the starter, if not immediately, soon, and I disagree A RB dart throw is a better roster clogger than some TE you will never play.You keep saying that but I don't agree.I would rather throw a dart at a RB in the later rounds than draft Shoonmaker. Don't forget, the fantasy community had a little bit of hype for Ferguson too and he's the starter, so there is that.
I agree a RB is a better dart throw.
Maybe he plays on running downs. I hear he's good blocker.Now that's a better way to phrase it to me. I don't agree and wonder what makes you think they'd take a 24-25 year old TE that high in the draft and feel so strongly it's a foregone conclusion he's not the starter but that's ok to disagree.Perhaps Ferguson isn't the starter, but it sure seems that way to me.\
Don't care if we agree, just not real big on presenting opinions as facts which you keep trying to do saying Ferguson is the starter. You are not presenting that as an opinion and it's clear distinction.Ok, you feel Shoonmaker will be the starter, if not immediately, soon, and I disagree A RB dart throw is a better roster clogger than some TE you will never play.You keep saying that but I don't agree.I would rather throw a dart at a RB in the later rounds than draft Shoonmaker. Don't forget, the fantasy community had a little bit of hype for Ferguson too and he's the starter, so there is that.
I agree a RB is a better dart throw.
I guess depends on the source of info, this one which is my go to source paints him as more an all around type, not overly great at anything and that jives with other things I've seen and heard about him. Even the clip you posted just says "above average blocker" which is hardly a reason to use a second round pick IMO as a blocking specialist IMO.Maybe he plays on running downs. I hear he's good blocker.
Premium/start 2 TE leagues aside...league roster depth plays a huge role in this conversation. I'd rather burn later picks on upside RB's like Zach Evans and Sean Tucker than, say, Shoon or Darnell Washington in <28 roster leagues. Most TE's end up on the WW unless they pop early. My WW in those leagues is littered with Harrison Bryant's, Cade Oton's, and Isaiah Likey's. Don't waste your draft capital on them in those leagues. This all changes if you have deep rosters (>30). I'd take guys like Shoon/Washington over many of the WR's, and maybe some RB's in that scenario.What do you want to bet that most FF players don't have the patience to wait until year 3 for a TE to develop? Should that be the case with Shoonmaker.Generally agree with the RB dart throws. However, there's only so many "preferred" late round (or undrafted) RB dart throws that I'm taking before I say that the Cowboys invested a 2nd round pick in a TE that has some outstanding measurables, and big time receiving upside according to a guy I trust more than anyone else in this forum to grind through the film.
Liked Ferguson and still do. Even Hendershot, to a much lesser degree, makes the situation less than perfect but I don't think either are reason not to even bother dipping a toe in the water. Early 3rd? Yeah, I probably want the RB dart throw. Late 3rd, early 4th, if I can get a 2nd round NFL pick there, sign me up.
I think it's a mistake to think that there's no chance you're getting any kind of feedback on the pick, because that's the way it has worked with TEs in the NFL., you won't know until Year 3. If you take Schoonmaker and he's ultimately a hit, there's very good chance you're getting a Dulcich or Okonkwo level of affirmation in his rookie year to remind you of why you're dedicating that roster spot. If you don't get that and you're only in to the tune of a 3rd, feel free to cut bait and move on. That's probably the outcome of the RB dart throw anyway.
I get the sense that your line of thinking is that anyone that drafts Schoonmaker isn't going to know heads or tails of what they have until Year 3. There's historical precedent for this generalization of TEs, but I think it's a mistake in 2023 to assume you're not getting some feedback on an early selection TE. It's going to depend on the individual league (particularly roster size), but in my 24-man the people that took Okonkwo and Dulcich are happy and have gained trade bait with those selections, even if they might not get a final verdict for 2-3 more years. They're not wondering if they were worth the roster spot.
Also, the generalization that you're getting immediate feedback on the late round rookie RB usually doesn't play out that way. Sometimes they're doing just enough to tease in pre-season or the depth chart is so bad that you're obligated to hold. There's a path to a 3-year roster clogger at the RB position too.
Hey, don’t badmouth Isaiah Likely. He’s has shown to be pretty good. His obstacle is a top 2 TE in front of him.Premium/start 2 TE leagues aside...league roster depth plays a huge role in this conversation. I'd rather burn later picks on upside RB's like Zach Evans and Sean Tucker than, say, Shoon or Darnell Washington in <28 roster leagues. Most TE's end up on the WW unless they pop early. My WW in those leagues is littered with Harrison Bryant's, Cade Oton's, and Isaiah Likey's. Don't waste your draft capital on them in those leagues. This all changes if you have deep rosters (>30). I'd take guys like Shoon/Washington over many of the WR's, and maybe some RB's in that scenario.What do you want to bet that most FF players don't have the patience to wait until year 3 for a TE to develop? Should that be the case with Shoonmaker.Generally agree with the RB dart throws. However, there's only so many "preferred" late round (or undrafted) RB dart throws that I'm taking before I say that the Cowboys invested a 2nd round pick in a TE that has some outstanding measurables, and big time receiving upside according to a guy I trust more than anyone else in this forum to grind through the film.
Liked Ferguson and still do. Even Hendershot, to a much lesser degree, makes the situation less than perfect but I don't think either are reason not to even bother dipping a toe in the water. Early 3rd? Yeah, I probably want the RB dart throw. Late 3rd, early 4th, if I can get a 2nd round NFL pick there, sign me up.
I think it's a mistake to think that there's no chance you're getting any kind of feedback on the pick, because that's the way it has worked with TEs in the NFL., you won't know until Year 3. If you take Schoonmaker and he's ultimately a hit, there's very good chance you're getting a Dulcich or Okonkwo level of affirmation in his rookie year to remind you of why you're dedicating that roster spot. If you don't get that and you're only in to the tune of a 3rd, feel free to cut bait and move on. That's probably the outcome of the RB dart throw anyway.
I get the sense that your line of thinking is that anyone that drafts Schoonmaker isn't going to know heads or tails of what they have until Year 3. There's historical precedent for this generalization of TEs, but I think it's a mistake in 2023 to assume you're not getting some feedback on an early selection TE. It's going to depend on the individual league (particularly roster size), but in my 24-man the people that took Okonkwo and Dulcich are happy and have gained trade bait with those selections, even if they might not get a final verdict for 2-3 more years. They're not wondering if they were worth the roster spot.
Also, the generalization that you're getting immediate feedback on the late round rookie RB usually doesn't play out that way. Sometimes they're doing just enough to tease in pre-season or the depth chart is so bad that you're obligated to hold. There's a path to a 3-year roster clogger at the RB position too.
Hey, don’t badmouth Isaiah Likely. He’s has shown to be pretty good. His obstacle is a top 2 TE in front of him.
The thing about Likely is that he won’t be a TE1 unless Andrews gets hurt or after his rookie contract expires and he’s with a new team. It’s not as if Andrews is old.Hey, don’t badmouth Isaiah Likely. He’s has shown to be pretty good. His obstacle is a top 2 TE in front of him.
Was going to post the same. I know some people are into Otton, and I kind of understand it given the depth chart. However, Likely is the one that stands out as a "which one doesn't belong here, which one isn't the same" if he's on waivers with Bryant and Otton. Looks like a 16th rounder on a dynasty startup. Not super valuable in a 24-man x 12, but enough that you're going to keep him around unless someone is offering an early/mid 3rd.
I did like Bryant as a TE dart throw two years ago. He was up there on a watch list, but never pulled the trigger. If I did, this is an example of a TE that I would have felt comfortable throwing back after '21 (Year 2) for not taking a step. 4th round NFL selection.
Premium/start 2 TE leagues aside...league roster depth plays a huge role in this conversation. I'd rather burn later picks on upside RB's like Zach Evans and Sean Tucker than, say, Shoon or Darnell Washington in <28 roster leagues. Most TE's end up on the WW unless they pop early. My WW in those leagues is littered with Harrison Bryant's, Cade Oton's, and Isaiah Likey's. Don't waste your draft capital on them in those leagues. This all changes if you have deep rosters (>30). I'd take guys like Shoon/Washington over many of the WR's, and maybe some RB's in that scenario.
The thing about Likely is that he won’t be a TE1 unless Andrews gets hurt or after his rookie contract expires and he’s with a new team. It’s not as if Andrews is old.
Luke Schoonmaker (foot) is dealing with a case of plantar fasciitis at OTAs.
He's wearing a boot. Schoonmaker wasn't expected to be a major part of the Dallas passing offense anyway, but if he's not getting full reps in camp he might be little-utilized in the early portion of the season. Schoonmaker will likely be fine for training camp.
SOURCE: Todd Archer on Twitter
Jun 1, 2023, 5:35 PM ET
Kind of puts a damper on the semi-hype he's getting. We just had our first waivers after our draft and I made him my top priority, but I also got Ferguson. The more I read about Schoon his ceiling is higher than Ferguson, but he will probably have to wait.Luke Schoonmaker (foot) is dealing with a case of plantar fasciitis at OTAs.
He's wearing a boot. Schoonmaker wasn't expected to be a major part of the Dallas passing offense anyway, but if he's not getting full reps in camp he might be little-utilized in the early portion of the season. Schoonmaker will likely be fine for training camp.
SOURCE: Todd Archer on Twitter
Jun 1, 2023, 5:35 PM ET
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said he hopes rookie TE Luke Schoonmaker (foot) will be cleared to practice this preseason.
Schoonmaker has made progress in his recovery since OTAs but remains without a timetable. Plantar’s injuries can range from day to day to career altering, with some players never returning to previous form. There’s a chance Schoonmaker’s absence could extend into the regular season if he falls into the latter. The No. 58 overall pick is expected to compete for Dallas’ TE1 role when healthy.
Jon Machota
Luke Schoonmaker has been playing pain free: “It’s pretty much back to where it was before…I’m really trying to get the rest of my foot strong around it so I don’t have any issues. And I haven’t so far. It’s been good to feel like that.”
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