2 reasons Cowboys fans shouldn't expect big production from Luke Schoonmaker in year one

1. Rookie tight ends don't tend to be superstars.

There's a major development curve for tight ends when they enter the league. It takes them longer than a running back or a wide receiver to get comfortable. Usually, tight ends need at least two or three seasons or even longer to finally show results.

See for yourself.

There were 10 tight ends taken in the first two rounds between 2018 and 2021: Hayden Hurst, Mike Gesicki, Dallas Goedert, Hockenson, Noah Fant, Irv Smith, Drew Sample, Cole Kmet, Pitts, and Pat Freiermuth.

Here's how each of them did in their rookie season.

1. Hayden Hurst

13 catches for 163 yards and one touchdown

2. Mike Gesicki

22 catches for 202 yards

3. Dallas Goedert

33 catches for 334 yards and four touchdowns

4. T.J. Hockenson

32 catches for 367 yards and two touchdowns

5. Noah Fant

40 catches for 562 yards and three touchdowns

6. Irv Smith

36 catches for 311 yards and two touchdowns

7. Drew Sample

5 catches for 30 yards

8. Cole Kmet

28 catches for 243 yards and two touchdowns

9. Kyle Pitts

68 catches for 1,026 yards and one touchdown

10. Pat Freiermuth

60 catches for 497 yards and seven touchdowns

Unless you're Pitts or Freiermuth, rookie tight ends don't see a lot of volume in their first season. Last year, second-round rookie tight end Trey McBride had just 29 catches for 265 yards and one touchdown.

There's a likely chance Schoonmaker follows that recent production trend from top tight end draft picks. He was drafted to an elite offense in Dallas, but the expectations should be lower for the rookie, especially considering how players like Goedert and Hockenson fared in year one.