3 big regrets the Dallas Cowboys should have in 2023

1. Drafting Luke Schoonmaker

Jake Ferguson is developing into a star in front of our eyes. The second-year tight end had four receptions for 47 yards and a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams and came into this weekend with 25 catches for 237 yards and two touchdowns.

He then added to those numbers in a major way. Ferguson wound up having his best game of the year with seven receptions for 91 yards while also scoring his third touchdown of the year. His ascension is proof that they were right in their decision to let Dalton Schultz walk in free agency. But it also reminds us they made a mistake in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Dallas elected to use their second-round pick on Luke Schoonmaker from Michigan and the idea was clear. They weren't really looking for a starter, since they believed in Ferguson as well, but they did target another potential pass-catcher at the position they could develop.

The problem is, Schoonmaker isn't exactly a young tight end that they can spend time grooming. In fact, he's already 25 and is one year older than Ferguson. Typically teams shy away from older prospects, especially in the first two rounds, since they're already developed athletically.

Despite this, Dallas rolled the dice and so far, it's been a disappointing rookie season for the tight end. Schoonmaker has just three receptions on the year for 14 yards with one touchdown. He nearly came up huge in Week 9 when he caught a pass on fourth-down that was originally called a touchdown but he was deemed short on replay.

Dallas could have landed many other prospects who could have helped more than Schoonmaker in 2023.

That list includes guard O'Cyrus Torrence, running back Tyjae Spears, and wideouts Tank Dell and Jalin Hyatt. If that wasn't enough, they could have gone with a younger tight end prospect such as Brenton Strange or Darnell Washington who are both just 22.

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