The 2025 season for the Dallas Cowboys could be seen as a defining one for a host of players, and one who is firmly in the cross-hairs is tight end Luke Schoonmaker.
The former second-round pick hasn't developed as many had hoped. With time missed during crucial offseason periods due to injury, coupled with so-so play once on the field, Schoonmaker needs something positive to happen this season.
With Jake Ferguson in a contract year, Schoonmaker could potentially take over after the 2025 season, but only if he proves himself worthy.
And looking at ESPN's Mike Clay's 2025 player projections, something he does annually, it isn't going to be a good year for the former Michigan Wolverine.
Luke Schoonmaker 2025 projection: 14 receptions, 131 yards, one touchdown.
This would perhaps be the worst-case scenario for "Schoon" if this did eventuate. ... and the word "bust'' is right around the corner.
Fewer receptions and yards in a year when he is expected to take a step forward wouldn't bode well with this new coaching staff and might put his future with the franchise in jeopardy.
Now, this is all purely speculative, and under Brian Schottenheimer, Schoonmaker might take another step forward as he did last season, where he showed some glimpses of the pass-catching tight end he could be.
With only Ferguson ahead of him, Schoonmaker "should" see his fair share of snaps, it is just crucial he maximizes them, and to do that, he must have a good offseason, something he is yet to have.
