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Cowboys tight ends

Ferguson could be a sleeper

Dallas let Dalton Schultz leave in free agency, and that opens up a major opportunity in the team's offense. Schultz has been a top-12 tight end in PPR leagues three years in a row, and while the team has a new coordinator, the position will probably remain a key target for Dak Prescott. Question is who will benefit.

Many will probably look at second-rounder Luke Schoonmaker, but it can be tough for rookie tight ends to step right in with a significant impact. Schoonmaker is also starting out behind the eight ball after suffering a foot injury of some sort at OTAs; he was spotted in a walking boot a week ago.

A better bet seems like one of the team's second-year tight ends, either fourth-rounder Jake Ferguson or undrafted Peyton Hendershot. Each caught 2 TDs a year ago, which combined with Schultz's 5 makes for 9 from the position last season. Draft capital favors Ferguson, and that's also the lean of Jon Machota in a story at The Athletic. The new offense might not use the position as much, but Ferguson definitely should be on people's radar.

Ferguson was a featured part of the passing game all four seasons at Wisconsin, averaging 36 catches for 4o5 yards and 3 TDs. Not dynamic numbers, but it wasn't a high-powered passing game. And he was very efficient with his opportunities as a rookie for Dallas.

He caught just 19 passes, but that was on only 22 targets. His catch rate of over 86% was better than all but two tight ends (minimum of 20 targets). That alone doesn't make a player a fantasy option (Johnny Mundt tops the list, a blocker mostly catching short passes near the line of scrimmage), but it shows a degree of competence, and maybe a rapport with Prescott. Contrast that with Schultz, who caught just 64 percent of the balls sent his way.

TIGHT END CATCH RATE, 2022 (MINIMUM 20 TARGETS)
PlayerTgtNoRecAvgTDCatch
Johnny Mundt, Min.21191407.4190.5%
Will Dissly, Sea.383434910.3389.5%
Jake Ferguson, Dall.22191749.2286.4%
Daniel Bellinger, NYG35302688.9285.7%
Zach Gentry, Pitt.23191326.9082.6%
Noah Gray, K.C.342829910.7182.4%
Adam Trautman, N.O.221820711.5181.8%
Dallas Goedert, Phil.695570212.8379.7%
Noah Fant, Sea.63504869.7479.4%
Robert Tonyan, G.B.67534708.9279.1%
C.J. Uzomah, NYJ272123211.0277.8%
Kylen Granson, Ind.40313029.7077.5%
Hayden Hurst, Cin.68524148.0276.5%
MyCole Pruitt, Atl.21161509.4476.2%
Brock Wright, Det.241821612.0475.0%
Durham Smythe, Mia.20151298.6175.0%
Evan Engram, Jac.987376610.5474.5%
Trey McBride, Ari.39292659.1174.4%
Dawson Knox, Buff.654851710.8673.8%
Harrison Bryant, Cle.42312397.7173.8%
Colby Parkinson, Sea.342532212.9273.5%
David Njoku, Cle.805862810.8472.5%
Cole Kmet, Chi.695054410.9772.5%
Travis Kelce, K.C.152110133812.21272.4%
Jonnu Smith, N.E.38272459.1071.1%
Ian Thomas, Car.30211979.4070.0%
George Kittle, S.F.866076512.81169.8%
Chigoziem Okonkwo, Ten.463245014.1369.6%
Hunter Henry, N.E.594150912.4269.5%
Irv Smith, Min.36251827.3269.4%
Jordan Akins, Hou.543749513.4568.5%
Austin Hooper, Ten.604144410.8268.3%
Zach Ertz, Ari.69474068.6468.1%
Mo Alie-Cox, Ind.28191899.9367.9%
T.J. Hockenson, 2TM1298691410.6666.7%
Tyler Higbee, LAR108726208.6366.7%
Gerald Everett, LAC87585559.6466.7%
Tyler Conklin, NYJ87585529.5366.7%
Darren Waller, L.V.432838813.9365.1%
Juwan Johnson, N.O.654250812.1764.6%
Cade Otton, T.B.65423919.3264.6%
Mark Andrews, Balt.1137384711.6564.6%
Pat Freiermuth, Pitt.986373211.6264.3%
Dalton Schultz, Dall.895757710.1564.0%
Logan Thomas, Was.61393238.3163.9%
John Bates, Was.22141087.7163.6%
Jelani Woods, Ind.402531212.5362.5%
Eric Saubert, Den.24151489.9162.5%
Mike Gesicki, Mia.523236211.3561.5%
Foster Moreau, L.V.543342012.7261.1%
Isaiah Likely, Balt.603637310.4360.0%
Greg Dulcich, Den.553341112.5260.0%
Pharaoh Brown, 2TM20121179.8060.0%
Tommy Tremble, Car.32191749.2359.4%
Josh Oliver, Balt.251414910.6256.0%
Cameron Brate, T.B.38201748.7052.6%
Brevin Jordan, Hou.28141289.1050.0%
Kyle Pitts, Atl.592835612.7247.5%
O.J. Howard, Hou.231014514.5243.5%

It's June, making it too early to write off Schoonmaker or get too excited about Ferguson. It wouldn't be surprising if the team employed a committee involving all three tight ends, including Hendershot.

But I think we can go along with The Athletic and make Ferguson the current favorite to start at tight end. A player to watch in the preseason, see if he's making the position his own when the starters are on the field.

--Andy Richardson

Fantasy Index