Evaluating the Cowboys tight end room after 2023 NFL Draft
By Ali Jawad
Peyton Hendershot
Similar to Ferguson, Peyton Hendershot is entering his second season. An undrafted free agent last year. Hendershot made the 53-man roster.
Hendershot appeared in all 17 contests as a rookie and started two games. He recorded 11 receptions for 103 receiving yards and two touchdowns. That is not bad, considering UDFAs are long-shots to make the roster, let alone make a notable impact in year one.
Still, like Ferguson, with a year under his belt and knowledge of the system, we can expect Hendershot to give his all and compete for a spot again on the 53.
Sean McKeon
He is entering his fourth season. Sean McKeon was given an early opportunity to showcase why he belongs. An injury in 2020 to former Cowboys tight end Blake Jarwin elevated McKeon to the third string.
In his rookie season in 2020, McKeon mainly played special teams. However, in 2021 he saw more action on offense and notched his first NFL touchdown on Thanksgiving vs the Raiders. Then in 2022, he was waived before the regular season only to be re-signed to the practice squad and was eventually promoted back to the active roster.
The Cowboys did carry him as a fourth tight end on the roster in 2020. Not the most ideal thing we see, but he has managed to hang on each time.
Still, he will have to show the team again why he deserves to remain another season. McKeon is now the Cowboys longest tenured tight end.
Seth Green
The Cowboys added Seth Green to their practice squad in October of 2022 to help shore up depth with injuries lingering around the tight end room.
Green signed a reserve/future contract back in January and may be considered a long shot to make the roster and, at best, will likely compete to make the practice squad. If nothing else, he'll provide added competition in practice for as long as he's on the offseason roster.
Princeton Fant
An undrafted free agent out of Tennessee. Princeton Fant hopes to replicate last year's UDFA Peyton Hendershot by surprising everyone to make the roster.
At 6’1” and just 238 pounds, he may be too small to play tight end at the next level. Fant could be an option as an H-back. Still, the Cowboys may have seen something in him on tape that caught their attention.
Prediction for Cowboys depth chart
1. Jake Ferguson
2. Luke Schoonmaker
3. Peyton Hendershot
4. Sean McKeon (Practice Squad)
Conclusion
With training camp just two months away. It will be an interesting battle to see who will take over the hole left by last year’s starter Dalton Schultz. Still, the competition brings excitement. You never know, the next Jason Witten might be in this group.