Luke Schoonmaker: Dynasty Rookie Draft Advice (2023 Fantasy Football)

The 2023 NFL Draft is in the books, and now it’s time for dynasty rookie drafts. Landing spots and draft capital have been determined, and we’re here with your dynasty rookie draft outlooks. Let’s take a look at what Derek Brown expects of Luke Schoonmaker.

Dynasty Rookie Draft Picks & Predictions: Luke Schoonmaker

Luke Schoonmaker (DAL)

Stats:

  • 2022 (minimum 20 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 8th
    • PFF receiving grade: 10th
  • Career
    • In 2022 among 62 tight ends with at least nine man and zone coverage targets, Schoonmaker was 35th in Yards per route run against man, 17th in PFF receiving grade and seventh in Yards per route run against zone coverage. 

Scouting report:

  • Schoonmaker will be a functional asset in the run game immediately. He displays a strong anchor when run-blocking. He seals the edge and walls off runs well, but he isn’t a bulldozing type. Schoonmaker won’t clear the road for backs, but he can lock down his patch of grass quite well. 
  • Schoonmaker doesn’t possess the pass-catching chops to ascend to a primary receiving option that can become a 1B pillar of a passing game. That doesn’t mean he can’t be a trusted option garnering target volume against zone coverage. Schoonmaker has nimble feet for his size, reflected by his 72nd percentile 20-yard shuttle. He has a good feel against zone coverage with plenty of snap on short area routes at the top of his stem. He uncovers quickly as a sure-handed target for his quarterback with only three career collegiate drops. 
  • Schoonmaker is a station-to-station tight ends who will move the chains but offer little after the catch. He only forced two missed tackles during his five years at Michigan. He ranked 68th in YAC per reception in 2022 (minimum 20 targets). 

Player Comp: Souped-up Dalton Schultz

Dynasty Outlook: I have to admit I chuckled when the Dallas Cowboys selection Schoonmaker in the second round, considering my player comp for him. Apparently, Jerry Jones saw something similar on film as Schoonmaker is headed to Dallas as Dalton Schultz’s replacement. As badly as the dynasty community wanted to make Jake Ferguson a thing, he won’t be. I never bought into the buzz around him in dynasty circles. Ferguson checks the giant stay-away boxy for me in fantasy which is subpar athleticism. Ferguson only managed a 4.81 forty-yard dash while also sitting below the 60th percentile in speed score, burst score, and agility score (per Playerprofiler.com). Schoonmaker isn’t the flashiest player. He could take some time to surpass Ferguson and possibly Peyton Hendershot on the depth chart, but he easily has the most upside of the group in the receiving game. If the Cowboys’ offense doesn’t take a massive dip with Kellen Moore out the door, Schoonmaker could start churning out low-end TE1 production, if not in 2023, then during his sophomore season.

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