TE is a bigger need then many realize!

[Cowboyny]

First off, I recently read that PFF projected Shultz to get 14.5 annually on the open market, if that's the case he has played his last game with the team. Shultz was Dak's security blanket and had a productive season, but if he's the team's #2 passing option we are in trouble. Reading the tea leaves, the Cowboys really want to fix their run game this offseason, having a strong TE is necessary, as he will be seeing a lot of passes off playaction and be expected to block in-line. Ferguson is similar to Shultz, although a better blocker, the depth behind him is unproven.

It wouldn't surprise me to see a high TE drafted, even as high as rd 1. All the scouting experts, claim this is an excellent draft for the position:

-Michael Mayer Notre Dame-elite option and a run to the podium prospect.
-Darnell Washington Georgia-similar Mercedes Lewis/Marty B, better blocker then a receiver
-Dalton Kincaid Utah-more of a oversized receiver, but very good in that department
-Luke Mustgrave Oregon State-highly athletic prospect
-Sam LaPorta Iowa-comes from a university known for producing high-level TE prospects

There are several more.

 

[rambo2]

First off, I recently read that PFF projected Shultz to get 14.5 annually on the open market, if that's the case he has played his last game with the team. Shultz was Dak's security blanket and had a productive season, but if he's the team's #2 passing option we are in trouble. Reading the tea leaves, the Cowboys really want to fix their run game this offseason, having a strong TE is necessary, as he will be seeing a lot of passes off playaction and be expected to block in-line. Ferguson is similar to Shultz, although a better blocker, the depth behind him is unproven.

It wouldn't surprise me to see a high TE drafted, even as high as rd 1. All the scouting experts, claim this is an excellent draft for the position:

-Michael Mayer Notre Dame-elite option and a run to the podium prospect.
-Darnell Washington Georgia-similar Mercedes Lewis/Marty B, better blocker then a receiver
-Dalton Kincaid Utah-more of a oversized receiver, but very good in that department
-Luke Mustgrave Oregon State-highly athletic prospect
-Sam LaPorta Iowa-comes from a university

I think that they could find good tight end value in the 2nd or 3rd round.

known for producing high-level TE prospects

There are several more.

 

[Cowboyny]

I think that they could find good tight end value in the 2nd or 3rd round.

Think they can draft a high-level TE inside the top 3 rounds.

 

[rambo2]

Think they can draft a high-level TE inside the top 3 rounds.

I think between the 2nd and 4th.

 

[beware_d-ware]

Is a strong TE necessary for MM's offense? He certainly went without one for a long time in Green Bay.

 

[Cowboyny]

Is a strong TE necessary for MM's offense? He certainly went without one for a long time in Green Bay.

Keep in mind, MM is going to develop a scheme around the team's strengths as he doesn't have Aaron Rodgers. Think the biggest strength lies within their OL. We saw Schott/Solari hires to help with the run game. His offense here might look totally different and become more run based.

 

[locked&loaded]

we need a tightend who can block and catch, while remaining on the field all 3 downs. When you have a specialist it tips off the defense as to what youre doing and removes the element of surprise.

in my mind, we want to be a team that can run the ball and protect the qbs backside (what team doesnt). when it comes to running routes, tightends can be productive with a small route tree, especially when theyre a mismatch. mismatches are usually in the form of...too big for a safety or corner or too fast for a linebacker. while speed is great, its usually dependent on size, which usually negates blocking. that brings us to size...big bodies reduce the need for separation and can be thrown to all over the field.

although the receiving stats arent there, im taking a hard look at Darnell Washington. by all accounts hes a Tackle-esque blocking tightend with some smoothness and good hands. the 3 routes i see the most by dallas tight ends are...a quick hitch or curl where the tightend sits at 3 yards (sometimes against a zone defense) and waits for the ball. this is the witten special. the next route is an arrow route in the flat usually following play action. finally, theres the seam route.

i see no reason Washington couldnt run all 3 with success.

 

[Cowboyny]

we need a tightend who can block and catch, while remaining on the field all 3 downs. When you have a specialist it tips off the defense as to what youre doing and removes the element of surprise.

in my mind, we want to be a team that can run the ball and protect the qbs backside (what team doesnt). when it comes to running routes, tightends can be productive with a small route tree, especially when theyre a mismatch. mismatches are usually in the form of...too big for a safety or corner or too fast for a linebacker. while speed is great, its usually dependent on size, which usually negates blocking. that brings us to size...big bodies reduce the need for separation and can be thrown to all over the field.

although the receiving stats arent there, im taking a hard look at Darnell Washington. by all accounts hes a Tackle-esque blocking tightend with some smoothness and good hands. the 3 routes i see the most by dallas tight ends are...a quick hitch or curl where the tightend sits at 3 yards (sometimes against a zone defense) and waits for the ball. this is the witten special. the next route is an arrow route in the flat usually following play action. finally, theres the seam route.

i see no reason Washington couldnt run all 3 with success.

I like Washington, but he will be very limited as a receiver, Mayer on the other hand can do it all. Hard to figure out Washington's range, some have him as a late 1st rounder, others see him a rd later.

 

[cnuball21]

Schultz had a negative EPA / target this year…he had yards bc he had high volume targets.

I’m perfectly fine letting him walk, drafting a mid rounder, and banking on 2 of those dudes being good enough. Ferguson looked like he could bring a little more athleticism than what Schultz did.

I’m.l not worried at all, but am perfectly fine drafting a TE if he’s a stud and BPA.

It’s nowhere near a need as big as WR.

 

[JBS]

This team lacks talent at every skill position

Just draft the best skill position available

 

[Einstein]

Fan of Schultz, but he isn't worth that kind of money IMO

 

[beware_d-ware]

Schultz had a negative EPA / target this year…he had yards bc he had high volume targets.

That's a very interesting stat. I've kind of been waffling on the whole "should we resign Schultz" thing, but if his catches and yards are basically empty calories... screw it.

 

[Cowboyny]

Schultz had a negative EPA / target this year…he had yards bc he had high volume targets.

I’m perfectly fine letting him walk, drafting a mid rounder, and banking on 2 of those dudes being good enough. Ferguson looked like he could bring a little more athleticism than what Schultz did.

I’m.l not worried at all, but am perfectly fine drafting a TE if he’s a stud and BPA.

It’s nowhere near a need as big as WR.

Shultz was our #2 option in the passing game, they are going to need to upgrade their receivers, which includes Shultz. Think it's even more important, if they shift you more of a running/play action team.

 

[cnuball21]

That's a very interesting stat. I've kind of been waffling on the whole "should we resign Schultz" thing, but if his catches and yards are basically empty calories... screw it.

Pretty much…a couple dagger drops in the end zone were icing on the cake for me.

 

[cnuball21]

Shultz was our #2 option in the passing game, they are going to need to upgrade their receivers, which includes Shultz. Think it's even more important, if they shift you more of a running/play action team.

Which is telling to how terrible our group of offensive weapons were…

 

[tm1119]

Shultz was our #2 option in the passing game, they are going to need to upgrade their receivers, which includes Shultz. Think it's even more important, if they shift you more of a running/play action team.

Was it Schultz or just the position he was put in in an offense that moves the ball well? I think Schultz is more replaceable than most think. He wasn’t much better than late career Witten last year…find the soft spot in the zone, catch it, and then fall down. Plus his blocking is bad. I don’t even love Ferguson as much as most, but not sure there would be much of a drop off between him and Schultz.

But I do agree that we need more weapons. So if a TE is available in the 2nd or later that can be a legit weapon and stretch the middle of the field I think you have to consider it (Kincaid or Musgrave)

 

[MAZEREZAM]

I like Washington, but he will be very limited as a receiver, Mayer on the other hand can do it all. Hard to figure out Washington's range, some have him as a late 1st rounder, others see him a rd later.

I’ve been saying TE is a much bigger need for us, that’s why I have Washington as our first round pick in a lot of my mocks. I don’t think he’s limited at all as a receiver, just that Bowers got most of the targets at Georgia because he’s more of a flex TE. Washington is a huge target with a huge catch radius which is what Dak needs. Did you see hurdle that defender after one of his catch and runs?

 

[nightrain]

If the cowboys are going to pay $14.5M for a TE, Schultz can't be the guy.

 

[Cowboyny]

I’ve been saying TE is a much bigger need for us, that’s why I have Washington as our first round pick in a lot of my mocks. I don’t think he’s limited at all as a receiver, just that Bowers got most of the targets at Georgia because he’s more of a flex TE. Washington is a huge target with a huge catch radius which is what Dak needs. Did you see hurdle that defender after one of his catch and runs?

He's a less stiff and more of a long strider, but has a huge catch radius.

 

[Cowboyny]

Was it Schultz or just the position he was put in in an offense that moves the ball well? I think Schultz is more replaceable than most think. He wasn’t much better than late career Witten last year…find the soft spot in the zone, catch it, and then fall down. Plus his blocking is bad. I don’t even love Ferguson as much as most, but not sure there would be much of a drop off between him and Schultz.

But I do agree that we need more weapons. So if a TE is available in the 2nd or later that can be a legit weapon and stretch the middle of the field I think you have to consider it (Kincaid or Musgrave)

I agree, we probably have a comparable Shultz already on our roster, but don't have a mismatch type of player in the passing game at the position.