I can understand arguments against some players Index is higher on than others. Pacheco, Montgomery -- I get it. But I haven't seen any reasonable case against drafting Jake Ferguson as at least a top 15 player at the position.
Sure Dallas drafted a tight end in the second round, and Luke Schoonmaker even caught a touchdown in the final preseason game. Maybe he's the future. But for now he's the backup at best, possibly even the No. 3. Ferguson is starting, and it's a job that has been really productive for Dallas for years.
In the last 10 years, the Cowboys have had a top-12 tight end nine times. Six of those were Jason Witten, but the last three were Dalton Schultz, and he's nothing special in terms of athleticism or ability. It's the job, and while Dallas has a new coordinator and a stronger wide receiver group, I see no reason to think Dak Prescott won't be looking for his starting tight end plenty.
Table shows Dallas' top tight end in the each of the past 10 years, including ranking (PPR) at the position. The 2018 season, when Blake Jarwin and Geoff Swaim split the starting job, was the only year without a top-12 performer. Ferguson was effective behind Schultz last year, catching 19 of the 22 passes thrown his way last season. He's the guy, and there's no reason to think he won't deliver solid numbers in the offense.
| DALLAS TIGHT ENDS, 2013-2022 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Player | St | Tgt | No | Rec | TD | Rk |
| 2022 | Dalton Schultz | 15 | 89 | 57 | 577 | 5 | 10 |
| 2021 | Dalton Schultz | 15 | 104 | 78 | 808 | 8 | 3 |
| 2020 | Dalton Schultz | 14 | 89 | 63 | 615 | 4 | 11 |
| 2019 | Jason Witten | 16 | 83 | 63 | 529 | 4 | 11 |
| 2018 | Blake Jarwin | 4 | 36 | 27 | 307 | 3 | 27 |
| 2018 | Geoff Swaim | 9 | 32 | 26 | 242 | 1 | 38 |
| 2017 | Jason Witten | 16 | 87 | 63 | 560 | 5 | 9 |
| 2016 | Jason Witten | 16 | 95 | 69 | 673 | 3 | 11 |
| 2015 | Jason Witten | 16 | 104 | 77 | 713 | 3 | 10 |
| 2014 | Jason Witten | 16 | 90 | 64 | 703 | 5 | 9 |
| 2013 | Jason Witten | 16 | 111 | 73 | 851 | 8 | 6 |
Things can happen. Maybe Ferguson gets hurt, maybe Schoonmaker is so impressive in practice that he winds up in the lineup. But I've enjoyed drafting him very late all preseason. Looking forward to him having a nice year.
--Andy Richardson