Cowboys roundtable: Discussing Joe Milton, Omarion Hampton and Luke Schoonmaker

Our latest Cowboys roundtable on Joe Milton III, Omarion Hampton at pick 12, and Luke Schoonmaker

Every week, we gather the latest news about the Dallas Cowboys and seek our writer’s perspective on each headline. Welcome back to the roundtable. This week we have Jess Haynie, David Howman, Tom Ryle, and Brian Martin.

Does the recent addition of QB Joe Milton III mean Dallas is no longer in the market for a backup QB in this year’s draft?

The Cowboys made another surprising trade this offseason, this time for quarterback Joe Milton III, sending a fifth-round draft pick to New England in exchange for Milton and a seventh-round draft pick. This move looks to add immediate depth to the Cowboys’ quarterback room. With Milton’s presence designed to stabilize the backup QB position, the Cowboys can reallocate draft resources to address other positional needs, potentially focusing on offensive line depth or the defensive line in order to build a more balanced and competitive roster in Day 3 of the draft.

Jess: Not necessarily. I think it means they’ll chill on Day 3, unless something really wild happens with someone dropping. So we’re probably out on the likes of Kyle McCord, Tyler Shough, or Riley Leonard. But let’s say Jaxson Dart falls to the third round; why wouldn’t the Cowboys still consider that? Milton was just a sixth-round pick himself, so if the scouts think a certain higher-tier prospect has more potential then they have no reason not to further upgrade the QB pipeline.

Brian: I would think so. It was rumored the Cowboys were looking to draft a developmental QB and accomplished that goal by trading for Joe Milton. There is no need to waste another draft pick on the position, especially considering the 2025 QB draft class is less than inspiring to begin with.

Howman: Very likely, yes. If there’s a quarterback available in the later rounds that Dallas really likes, they’re not going to pass on him, but the Milton addition was done, in part, because this is a fairly weak quarterback class. I would imagine Milton takes the place of a rookie quarterback this year.

Tom: I don’t expect them to use a draft pick on one, especially with Will Grier still under contract. I do think they’ll sign a UDFA for a camp arm, but the picks should go to fill other needs.

If RB Omarion Hampton is the Cowboys’ first selection in the draft at pick 12, how does that make you feel?

The Cowboys have shown significant interest in North Carolina’s running back Omarion Hampton as a potential selection with their 12th overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft. Hampton has been climbing draft boards the past few days. This has lead to discussions about his value and fit with the Cowboys. Some people, however, question the value of selecting a running back so early, especially given the depth of talent available at the position in later rounds. The Cowboys’ decision will likely hinge on their assessment of Hampton’s immediate impact potential when they met with him during one of the team’s 30-visits.

Jess: As someone who won’t be doing cartwheels if Ashton Jeanty is the pick, I’m going to be livid if we reach on Hampton. The “he’d be RB1 most years” line doesn’t give me comfort. He’s clearly not seen as the generational talent that Jeanty is, so why just settle on him at 12 because he’s the next-best RB on the board? It’s hard to imagine there won’t be superior talents available from other positions.

Brian: I’m actually a big fan of Omarion Hampton, so I wouldn’t be completely disappointed if he was Dallas’ selection with the 12th overall pick. Having said that though, I wonder what other players are still on the board because there’s several I’d draft ahead of him who could still be available. Plus, I think the Cowboys could trade down and still land Hampton and also acquire extra draft capital.

Howman: I’ll be irate. This is the deepest running back class in decades, so there’s no reason to take such a low-value position with such a premium draft pick. Omarion Hampton is a fun prospect, but there are backs in this draft who will have just as much success that you can get in the third, fourth, and even fifth round. Taking Hampton at 12 would be a colossal waste of resources.

Tom: Not a fan of a RB at 12, and if it isn’t the best one in the class, I’m really out. A pass rusher, OL reinforcements, or a dynamic WR2 all make better sense to me. Now if the question was would I be surprised, no, I wouldn’t. The Cowboys always think they are the smartest guys in the room and can get way too cute.

Could Luke Schoonmaker’s breakout season be coming?

Luke Schoonmaker’s performance during Ferguson’s injury-related absences in 2024 showcased some interesting potential. In five games where Schoonmaker started, he recorded 17 receptions for 153 yards and a touchdown. His touchdown was in fact the only one scored by a tight end last season. This experience has positioned him as a strong contender for increased playing time. The upcoming season may see a competitive dynamic between Schoonmaker and Jake Ferguson. Schoonmaker’s development and on-field contributions will be pivotal in enhancing the Cowboys’ offensive versatility.

Jess: Probably not, but that’s not about Schoonmaker’s potential. Jake Ferguson is likely still TE1 or at least they’d be in a timeshare, which means neither puts up huge numbers. While Schoonmaker is the superior athlete, Ferguson’s experience and chemistry with Dak Prescott will make him hard to beat. There’s also the chance that Dallas uses its first-round pick on Tyler Warren, who obviously becomes the new starter. Either Ferguson or Schoonmaker may end up traded in that scenario.

Brian: Luke Schoonmaker having a breakout 2025 season is going to be difficult after the Cowboys surprise us all by drafting Penn State TE Tyler Warren. I’m kidding of course, but I wouldn’t completely rule it out either. The short answer is no. Jake Ferguson is still the TE1 and unless something unfortunate happens to him Schoonmaker is still playing second fiddle, which will limit his playing time and production.

Howman: “Breakout” may be too strong a word, but Schoonmaker should be able to prove he belongs in the NFL this year. Jake Ferguson is still your TE1, but I imagine we’re going to see a lot more 12 personnel this year with Klayton Adams in town. Schoonmaker has quietly been really good in his limited snaps thus far in his career, so more opportunities to get on the field should be a plus for him.

Tom: I hope not, because that would probably mean something went wrong for Ferguson. I’ll be perfectly happy to see Schoonmaker as a solid TE2 and role player. At lot will depend on what Schottenheimer plans to do with the position, which is still TBD.