The Cowboys may have a sleeping giant on their roster. 2026 could be the year that giant is awakened and starts making more than a marginal impact. The Dallas Cowboys tight end rotation that features Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker and Brevyn Spann-Ford is solid, with Ferguson pulling most of the weight.
In a down year, Ferguson scored eight touchdowns while racking up 6oo receiving yards on 82 catches. Schoonmaker added 132 more receiving yards and Spann-Ford added a touchdown. It is a capable group, with additional success in the run game by throwing blocks and helping to set up Javonte Williams.
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The numbers are solid; however, there still seems to be room for improvement, particularly in the second TE slot behind Ferguson. Spann-Ford, who is primed for a breakout season, could be that improvement. The soon-to-be third-year pro has all the tools to become a difference-maker alongside Ferguson. The University of Minnesota alum stands at 6’7”, 270 lbs., making him a huge target in the receiving game and has helped him develop into one of the best run blockers on the Cowboys.
It’s this blocking skill set that sets him apart. He is a polished, powerful blocker who takes on any task he is given, whether that be defensive tackles, all-pro edge rushers, you name it; his intensity and attitude clearly show up on film. His blocking at this point is better than Schoonmaker’s, who still leaves fans wanting in both blocking and receiving. That alone should be enough to give the Cowboys the confidence to afford Spann-Ford more snaps, opening the door to more opportunities in the pass game.
The pass game is where fans should be excited to see a potential leap. Spann-Ford has seldom been used here, but he has shown flashes; think back to the Bears game where he hurdled a defender. Compared to Schoonmaker, who has largely been a disappointment as a receiver, the ceiling seems to be much higher, and it’s the frame that sets Spann-Ford apart. At 6’7”, he seems primed to be able to snag contested catches and brush off defenders for those all-important run-after-catch yards.
Between blocking and pass-catching potential, Spann-Ford, at the very least, needs to start seeing more snaps overall and certainly more opportunities in the pass game, and if that happens, a new star could be on the rise in Dallas.
Are you taking Spann-Ford as a breakout player in 2026? If not, who is your best candidate?
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