'Big Body, Big Target': Can Cowboys' Schoonmaker Win No. 2 TE Job?

Dallas Cowboys rookie tight end Luke Schoonmaker is coming off a solid performance in his second preseason game and draws praise afterwards from coach Mike McCarthy and quarterback Will Grier.

When the Dallas Cowboys selected tight end Luke Schoonmaker in the second round of April's NFL Draft, they did so with the intention of having him become an impact player sooner rather than later.

But the Cowboys' plans for Schoonmaker had an unexpected hiccup when the former Michigan standout missed the first two weeks of training camp with a foot injury, causing a delay during a critical time in his development.

Schoonmaker, 24, had a quiet preseason debut, catching one pass for eight yards in a 28-23 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

While not in danger of losing a roster spot, Schoonmaker wasn't necessarily off to the start he nor Dallas expected ... but is evidently starting to turn the corner, maybe even toward emerging from the "Four Horsemen'' tight ends room and winning the No. 2 job behind starter Jake Ferguson.

During the Cowboys' second preseason game, a 22-14 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Schoonmaker took a step forward, hauling in two passes for 22 yards.

The reasoning? According to coach Mike McCarthy, it's a simple rookie progression stemming from increased opportunities.

"Just growing," McCarthy said. "Missed a lot of time early and he's done a nice job with his opportunities. Football comes natural to him. You can tell he's high in his awareness, but good to see him get into the flow of the offense."

It's clear that McCarthy and the Cowboys are fond of Schoonmaker's mental traits, and there's certainly a level of untapped potential with both his intellect and "natural" football prowess.

Better yet, this optimism in Schoonmaker stretches beyond the coaching staff - just ask Cowboys third-string quarterback Will Grier, who dished praise on the 6-5, 250-pound former All-Big 10 tight end.

A fun play-call from last night:

Third down and short, 13 personnel 🤩, designed play to Schoonmaker who picks up the first.

Move the chains.

McCarthy got in his bag a couple of times on third down in Seattle.#DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/3ex2QQyrlX

— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) August 21, 2023

“Big body, big target," Grier said. "I think he is going to be a good player. I like what he’s doing.” 

Said the rookie after the Tuesday workout at The Star:  “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.”

The goal for Schoonmaker now becomes continuing to keep the arrow pointing up ... and with his size, awareness and ready-made skill set, Dallas is confident this is merely a sign of things to come.

You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @ByDanielFlick

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