Predicting the future needs of the Dallas Cowboys has been a national pastime over the years. A year ago, Dallas’ upcoming needs at linebacker were about as predictable as they were serious, so it was no surprise they threw Dee Winters and Jaishawn Barham at the situation this offseason. A season before that, receiver led the needs list. After striking out on Tetairtoa McMillan in the draft, the Cowboys responded by trading for George Pickens.
Looking towards 2027 it appears tight end may be an unavoidable need the Cowboys must address. Since breaking out in 2023 it’s been two consecutive seasons of underachievement for TE1 Jake Ferguson. 2024 was a historically poor season for the Wisconsin product and 2025 was, at best, a lesson in how NOT to gain yards after the catch. With seven combined fumbles over the last two seasons, Ferguson has been anything but “safe” serving as Dak Prescott’s safety value.
Fergson’s cap number in 2026 ranks seventh highest on the team and per OTC his contract ranks eighth amongst fellow tight ends. PFF graded Ferguson 50 overall, far below Brevyn Spann-Ford who graded a respectable 16th. With a cap hit of over $9M again in 2027, the Cowboys could save money by cutting ties with the would-be 28-year-old. He headlines the Cowboys’ $16.2 million spend at the position, 11th-most in the league.
Behind Ferguson on the depth chart, there aren’t any obvious successors. Spann-Ford is a rising star and the Cowboys’ top graded tight end, but he’s primarily a blocker and lacks the downfield playmaking ability the team needs at TE1. Luke Schoonmaker is a career underachiever who will be hard-pressed to match Spann-Ford’s snap count in 2026. And in 2027, he’s a free agent so he’ll open up further vacancies on the Dallas depth chart. So, unless rookie undrafted free agent Michael Trigg impresses on and off the field in 2026, the Cowboys could be looking for two tight ends next offseason.
The quality of the 2027 tight end draft class is undetermined at the moment but in free agency there are more than a couple proven options for the Cowboys to consider. Sam LaPorta, Luke Musgrave, Michael Mayer, Kyle Pitts, T.J. Hockenson, Colby Parkinson and Dallas Goedert are just a few veteran names who are scheduled to hit the market. If the Cowboys decide to part with Ferguson next winter any one of them could be seen as an instant upgrade at TE1.
The Cowboys’ upcoming needs at tight end are pretty predictable at the moment. Barring a bounce-back season from Ferguson in 2026 there’s a good chance Dallas will add a new starter to the unit either via free agency or early in the draft.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys spending $16M on position they’ll have to revamp in 2027
Reporting by Reid D Hanson, Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
