Could Cowboys trade former 2nd-round pick before rookie deal done?

The Dallas Cowboys have done things a bit differently over the last 24 months. When they initially turned the trade spigot on, they used it to acquire veterans they hoped would help. Starting August 2023, the club traded for QB Trey Lance, and then WR Jonathan Mingo in the middle of the 2024 season. This spring, while they traded for established veteran Kenneth Murray, they also acquired CB Kaiir Elam, QB Joe Milton and now most famously WR George Pickens. All but Murray are still on their rookie deals and all but Milton were highly-pedigreed picks.

For the Cowboys, the trades have all been about bringing in young talent, but perhaps it’s time they consider cashing out on a drafted prospect the same way other teams have. The Cowboys should heavily consider seeing if there’s a trade market for TE Luke Schoonmaker.

Dallas isn’t allergic to walking away from younger player who haven’t worked out. In the past, they’ve refused to do it for draft picks though. In 2023 they traded away CB Kelvin Joseph and brought back CB Noah Ignbinoghene. In 2024, they moved CB Nahshon Wright and brought back CB Andrew Booth.

Whether it be for a future draft pick or a player at another spot, they may be interested in doing similar with Schoonmaker, their 2023 second-round pick. Schoonmaker has dealt with injuries in each of the prior two offseasons, impacting his learning curve and muting his contributions.

Now, it appears he’s getting ready to be the third tight end in the rotation, despite entering the pivotal third year. Accelerated growth from second-year UDFA Brevyn Spann-Ford could see him usurp Schoonmaker as TE2 behind Jake Ferguson. Spann-Ford already proved to be a better blocker, and if he confirms rumors of improved pass-catching prowess when training camp begins, it might be time to offload the former Michigan Wolverine.

Also a part of that formula would be FB Hunter Luepke’s transition towards more H-Back in Brian Schottenheimer’s offense, and other pieces of the depth chart proving to have upside. That might occur in a young Auburn UDFA, Rivaldo Fairweather, who the scuttlebutt says has caught the eye of the coaching staff through spring work.

That’s a long ways away from making a roster and giving the team the confidence to trade Schoonmaker, but at this point it’s a worthy conversation starter.

Through two seasons, Schoonmaker has caught 35 passes for 306 yards, averaging just eight yards a reception. He’s scored three receiving touchdowns in his 34 career games, a far cry from expectation for someone drafted in the top 60 two years ago.

Schoonmaker may be able to bring back a top 150 though, from a team in need of tight end depth with a front office who felt he was intriguing back in the 2023 draft process. If the Cowboys feel that he’s tapped out his upside, and or there’s guys with as much upside on the depth chart, perhaps it’s time to consider moving on.

This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Could Cowboys trade Luke Schoonmaker before the 2025 season?