Cowboys TE Roster Battle: Hendershot vs. Stephens Jr.

Position battles continue as the Dallas Cowboys travel to Washington to take on the Seattle Seahawks in Game 2 of the exhibition season.

Timm Hamm | Aug 18, 2023

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FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys fell in their first exhibition contest of the preseason to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Does that matter? Nope. What does matter? Position battles.

And those position battles will continue as America's Team travels to Washington to take on the Seattle Seahawks in Game 2 of the exhibition season. And those position battles will continue with assertiveness at many positions.

The tight end room is an interesting one for the Cowboys before the start of the regular season. Jake Ferguson, Dallas' fourth-round draft pick from a year ago is the presumed starter and has shown flashes of brilliance this offseason.

Behind Ferguson is where the discussion gets interesting.

Luke Schoonmaner, the Michigan product and Cowboys second-round pick this year missed time early in training camp with an injury, but it's hoped he can assume the role of TE2.

Peyton Hendershot, the undrafted free agent from Indiana that the Cowboys signed post-draft last year, impressed last season. Entering training camp, his name was associated with the TE3 label. But as the offseason often goes, things change.

Hendershot could be in danger of losing that TE3 title to another up-and-comer, just as Hendershot himself was in 2022. John Stephens Jr., a 6-5, 232-pound former Rajun Cajun from the University of Louisiana is battling with veteran Sean McKeon and Hendershot for the third roster spot at tight end.

Stephens Jr. has shown flashes in camp and impressed many against the Jaguars with a team-high five catches for 56 yards and a touchdown.

The Ragin’ Cajuns preseason domination continues, this time with John Stephens Jr. scoring a Cowboys TD.

Stephens Jr. has been a mismatch with his size and athleticism. Has four receptions for 54 yards and this score against the Jags. pic.twitter.com/IdrAxLG1s2
— Seven Rounds in Heaven (@7RoundsInHeaven) August 13, 2023

What makes Stephens' story even more interesting, is the fact that he played wide receiver in college. He's made the transition smoothly to tight end in Cowboys camp, utilizing his size and athleticism to become a weapon in one game in the preseason.

Can he take Hendershot's spot on the Dallas roster? As young players, both have room for improvement.

Comparing John Stephens Jr. and Peyton Hendershot's measurables.

Stephens is taller, faster and more explosive but less agile. And I honestly think JSJ is a better pure receiver. #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/jiX4UvLqQl
— John Owning (@JohnOwning) August 17, 2023