A thought at TE

[Stash]

Jessie James is another to look at if you're wanting to add a vet.

Might not be as dynamic in the passing game as Eifert, but he's no slouch and has potential. Maybe a better blocker and doesn't have the injury history.

I considered him too, but I think his asking price will be much higher.

 

[Stash]

I'd be all about Eifert, and would have tried to trade for him this season. High upside, little to no risk.

But I haven't seen anything in this offense that makes me think we'd be able to utilize his skillset.

I saw changes down the stretch, most notably Jarwin's breakout in week 17. There were clearly different voices involved in the play calling because prior to that game the TE position wasn't even being looked at.

With Linehan gone, I'm optimistic for that trend to continue.

 

[Stash]

I just don't share your level of comfortability with Jarwin and Shultz.

That's cool. But both improved down the stretch, and Jarwin had a coming out party in week 17 prior to getting hurt.

What I want nothing to do with is investing one of our few remaining premium picks to add another young guy, and then hope he actually develops over the next two years, behind Jarwin and Schultz.

 

[Future]

I saw changes down the stretch, most notably Jarwin's breakout in week 17. There were clearly different voices involved in the play calling because prior to that game the TE position wasn't even being looked at.

With Linehan gone, I'm optimistic for that trend to continue.

Well, it was 1 game. I guess maybe it's a good sign for the future, but I wouldn't assume anything based on that.

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

Don’t sign old or injury prone players, period. They stop the progress of younger players, and then when they inevitably get hurt, you’re left with inexperienced backups.

 

[Stash]

Well, it was 1 game. I guess maybe it's a good sign for the future, but I wouldn't assume anything based on that.

It was a pretty good one game.

Like franchise career game.

But that's all I'm saying. Both showed steady improvements and good signs.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

That's cool. But both improved down the stretch, and Jarwin had a coming out party in week 17 prior to getting hurt.

What I want nothing to do with is investing one of our few remaining premium picks to add another young guy, and then hope he actually develops over the next two years, behind Jarwin and Schultz.

I couldn't disagree more. I would love to draft Kaden Smith or Jace Sternberger in the second. I'd even trade up to do it.

 

[Stash]

Don’t sign old or injury prone players, period. They stop the progress of younger players, and then when they inevitably get hurt, you’re left with inexperienced backups.

Would you consider Jarwin or Schultz to be "inexperienced backups" at this point?

 

[CATCH17]

That's cool. But both improved down the stretch, and Jarwin had a coming out party in week 17 prior to getting hurt.

What I want nothing to do with is investing one of our few remaining premium picks to add another young guy, and then hope he actually develops over the next two years, behind Jarwin and Schultz.

Jarwin, Schultz, and whatever scrub Dallas threw out there this year did well because they were after thoughts in our offense.

We need a TE that draws attention from the defense and opens up things for others. Not after thoughts like the dime a dozen guys we have.

 

[Stash]

I couldn't disagree more. I would love to draft Kaden Smith or Jace Sternberger in the second. I'd even trade up to do it.

 

[CouchCoach]

I've been ruminating about what the Cowboys might do at TE. I really liked how both Blake Jarwin and Dalton Schultz finished the season, outside of the injury to Jarwin late. Given that, and the youth of both guys, I'm opposed to investing our top pick in the 2019 second round on adding another young player to the mix. Virtually all players take at least a year or two to get fully up to speed with the NFL game.


Jarwin and Schultz are both hitting that point in 2019, and any rookie, however talented, is going to behind either or both in that learning curve. So if you use your top pick there, the odds of proper return in 2019 are slim and none. And I would rather use that pick on improving the trenches anyway. Give me a defensive tackle or offensive guard.

But, if the team felt they needed to improve, I'd go with a veteran.

Now, this idea is fraught with risk, but also with huge reward. My idea would be to sign former Bengals TE Tyler Eifert.

Now, the obvious risk. Eifert has been hurt - a lot - these past three seasons. And has never been the picture of health during his entire NFL career. He's suffered a myriad of injuries, including coming off of a gruesome ankle injury that ended his 2018 season. That's where the huge risk comes in, and that's why a player this good is even available. High risk, high reward.

And it's the Jarwin and Schultz factors that actually make me feel OK with taking that risk. Even if or when Eifert does get injured again, you would have not one, but two backup options in place, continuing to gain experience. The Cowboys would have great insurance

But when Eifert has played? He's been a Pro Bowl caliber player and regarded as one of the best in the league in 2015. He's a willing blocker, if not a great one, but he's a matchup nightmare in the passing game. Fast enough to force teams to cover with a defensive back, big enough at 6'6" to tower over them and make plays. Versatile enough to line up outside as well.

Eifert was signed tyo a one year, $5 million range prove it deal in Cincinnati last year. And given he had another injury, he didn't prove it. So, his cost should be in that same area, or possibly even cheaper. I don't see anywhere else that you might be able to find a veteran, Pro Bowl talent near that cost.

Oh, and did I mention that his college roommate and brother-in-law is our own Zack Martin? I'd consider that to be a big plus in the equation as well.

So rather than spending out\r best draft asset and hoping that a guy develops in a year or two, I'm rolling the dice on a proven talent and injury risk. I think we have the youth and depth to do that.

I'm curious to see what everyone's thoughts are on this idea?

At one time Eifert was neck and neck with Kelce but the injuries have taken their toll on his game. If he was not a health concern, he wouldn't even be available.

I don't think Hockenson Iowa, will be available so I think they'll go with either DE or OL if they stay put with that pick. Biggest surprise to me would be a DT with the first pick, Booger just doesn't think those big uglies are sexy.

 

[Stash]

Jarwin, Schultz, and whatever scrub Dallas threw out there this year did well because they were after thoughts in our offense.

We need a TE that draws attention from the defense and opens up things for others. Not after thoughts like the dime a dozen guys we have.

That's kind of what I'm doing here. Eifert is top 5 when he plays, and does exactly what you're talking about.

But take a look at the numbers for both Jarwin and Schultz:

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JarwBl00/gamelog/2018/

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SchuDa00/gamelog/2018/

Both guys continued to become bigger parts of the offense as the season progressed, both trending upwards, both becoming factors, both improving.

 

[75boyz]

I'd be all about Eifert, and would have tried to trade for him this season. High upside, little to no risk.

But I haven't seen anything in this offense that makes me think we'd be able to utilize his skillset.

This is an excellent point as well.

 

[Vanilla2]

Would eifert sign to be the 3rd te?

Use a low round pick and let him Rico and a vet blocking type right end fight it out in training camp for the 3rd spot.

And if you don’t re sign Rico then make 2 two budget blocking type tes

 

[CATCH17]

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SchuDa00/gamelog/2018/
Both guys continued to become bigger parts of the offense as the season progressed, both trending upwards, both becoming factors, both improving.

I understand but it was just by default.

They don't have much upside. They are dime a dozen guys.

 

[Stash]

I understand but it was just by default.

They don't have much upside. They are dime a dozen guys.

They're clearly showing otherwise. Their "upside" was on full display down the stretch of the season, when the play calling actually gave them opportunities. When called upon, both guys produced.

"Dime a dozen" is off base.

 

[DenCWBY]

I would honestly be OK if they did nothing at the position. Wouldn't mind Swaim coming back at all. If they want to cut Rico loose, fine. Keep him, fine.

I'm not against a veteran, but I'd really like to see the guys we have already invested in get sizable snaps.

This. This off season, just build the trenches and safety positions and ship Dak to a deserted island with a barn and a bag of footballs.

 

[CATCH17]

They're clearly showing otherwise. Their "upside" was on full display down the stretch of the season, when the play calling actually gave them opportunities. When called upon, both guys produced.

"Dime a dozen" is off base.

They were given a chance for 16 games and that was all they showed is what you saw this season.

Any TE given their opportunities would bring similar results.

There is nothing about them athletically or really anything that will give defenses in the future reason to worry about them.

They are Jags and we need to upgrade.

 

[75boyz]

I couldn't disagree more. I would love to draft Kaden Smith or Jace Sternberger in the second. I'd even trade up to do it.

I'm in the Noah Fant and Irv Smith fan club at that position myself. To Stash's credit though, as he explained, even as good as any of these potential draft picks may be, the risk is still there for their learning curve to our offense and total acclamation to the pro game. There's inherent risk that not any TE drafted would be a day one plug and play effective starter.

Guess that's why Steven and Will McClay make the big bucks. To weigh these types of risks against one another.

 

[Stash]

They were given a chance for 16 games and that was all they showed is what you saw this season.

Something else you're wrong about. Their opportunities didn't start until after Swaim was injured.

Any TE given their opportunities would bring similar results.

Over 100 yards and 3 touchdowns in a game? A franchise record game? Again, this looks bad for you.

There is nothing about them athletically or really anything that will give defenses in the future reason to worry about them.

The Giants sure should have worried. But again, you ignore the evidence.

They are Jags and we need to upgrade.

It sounds like the words of someone with a picture in their head trying to ignore everything else. Like a guy that says "draft a TE with that first pick!" no matter what the evidence might suggest otherwise.