A thought at TE

Stash

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I'm not gung-ho to draft a TE in the 2nd, but...

Shultz started 7 games.

MartyB started 7 as a rookie.

In terms of all rookie TEs there have been many games started by rookies.

I probably should have phrased that better. I was referring to a rookie making a significant contribution. My apologies for poor choice of words.
 

xwalker

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I don't think you gain anything from that analysis because Witten was the starter for a long time.

Rookie TEs were unlikely to make a big impact regards of their talent level due to Witten being entrenched as the starter and pass catching TE. MartyB was a big contributor as a blocker even as a rookie.

John Phillips was a decent contributor as a rookie considering that he was 3rd on the depth chart. They used him as the "move" TE because that position was too mentally complicated for MartyB.
 

Beaker42

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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?
Cook would help us more than Eifert and is healthy. That plus he couldn’t be a 1-man show against us in the postseason again.
 

Stash

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I don't think you gain anything from that analysis because Witten was the starter for a long time.

Rookie TEs were unlikely to make a big impact regards of their talent level due to Witten being entrenched as the starter and pass catching TE. MartyB was a big contributor as a blocker even as a rookie.

John Phillips was a decent contributor as a rookie considering that he was 3rd on the depth chart. They used him as the "move" TE because that position was too mentally complicated for MartyB.

You're right about Witten presence, but he supports my position as well. As great as he was right from the start, he also didn't contribute much as a rookie. And that's my point. Few do.
 

Stash

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Cook would help us more than Eifert and is healthy. That plus he couldn’t be a 1-man show against us in the postseason again.

And Cook's current team wants him back and has far more money than we do. And the guy is a headcase and a bad teammate.
 

dallasdave

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Never hurts to consider it. I do think Jarwin and Schultz showed some good work in the seams, especially beyond blocking schemes. I agree that going for a high draft pick is a risk given our other needs. If the right FA becomes available, why not give it a go in TC? Competition is a good motivator.
Let em fight it out
 

JoeKing

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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?
Sure, why not have the best at every position. It's not like there is a salary cap to worry about... oh, wait. I think we are okay at TE as is.
 

Stash

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I liked him on Hogans Heros

DistantInferiorBluejay-small.gif
 

OmerV

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That's my thinking. Best case scenario? You get a top 5 TE talent in Eifert for as long as he plays. Worst case, you have the still-developing and improving Jarwin and Schultz.

This is good in theory, but the question is what kind of commitment would it take to sign Eifert? Obviously he will be looking for the best he can get in both salary and number of years, and a lot will depend on whether anyone is willing to pay based on the potential he was once thought to have, or if he can be signed based more on his actual track record.
 

Stash

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This is good in theory, but the question is what kind of commitment would it take to sign Eifert? Obviously he will be looking for the best he can get in both salary and number of years, and a lot will depend on whether anyone is willing to pay based on the potential he was once thought to have, or if he can be signed based more on his actual track record.

Look no further than last year for your answer. He signed a one year, prove it deal to stay in Cincinnati for one year, $5 million with incentives he obviously didn't hit. And he also didn't "prove it" by getting injured again, so the numbers, and expectations are nowhere but lowered further.

We're talking about a guy trying to resuscitate a career.
 

DallasDW00ds0n

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This guy Bowman on the Birmingham Iron in the AAF looks like a legit TE. They should try him out
 

EPL0c0

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Eric Tomlinson is a RFA. He's not a pass catcher though, he's a run-blocking TE. He's a good run blocking TE. but being not much of a pass catcher limits his value
 

Runwildboys

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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?
Honestly, I think Jarwin and Schultz are better than most people realize. I think you have a pretty good concept here, assuming we can get him, and at a reasonable price.
 
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