FA Part 2- TE

[OmerV]

Sadly we will have the same group of guys like.

Witten-Swaim-Hanna-Rico

I’m still high on Hanna. He is always open and needs more touches.

I think he's always open because defenses don't focus on a guy who gets 10 targets a year or less. If he were a bigger part of the offense it would be a little different. Still, I think he could get 30-35 targets a year without drawing too much attention from the defense, and assuming that translates to 25 completions or so that would be enough to add an extra element to the offense.

 

[Sydla]

Please don't put words in my mouth, I've never said we brought in great TE's. And, of course it's easy when you use hindsight to classify a TE as great. I merely said we've brought in a number of TE's. There will come a time soon where we'll need to invest, but now isn't the time. TE isn't a weak link on our offense. And I highly doubt they're starting Witten because of his stature, tenure or contract if that is what you're suggesting. I can see a player like Gathers developing. Who knows? We'll see what the staff does.

It's disingenuous to say "we've brought in a number of TEs" when most of those TEs are back of the roster types picked in the late rounds and UDFAs. You can't seriously try to argue that the team has made a real effort to strengthen the TE spot on the backs of 7th round picks and a UDFAs.

The time to improve TE is right now. Witten is 36. He's also not playing at nearly a level he played out say 5 years ago. I am not sure "weak link" is the right term but there is no question they could get more out of the TE spot and with a QB like Dak, it sure would help having a play making TE who can make some plays.

I think Witten plays because he's still better than the mediocrity we have at TE. But I think the FO and coaching staff are letting loyalty and nostalgia rule the day here and won't consider getting a better TE in here as long as Witten tells them he's playing. Jones has spent the offseason talking about all these things that they need to do to help Dak. Well getting a better threat at TE would certainly help Dak. It's foolish to suggest otherwise.

And I think some fans are letting nostalgia get in the way of rational thinking here as well.

 

[G2]

It's disingenuous to say "we've brought in a number of TEs" when most of those TEs are back of the roster types picked in the late rounds and UDFAs. You can't seriously try to argue that the team has made a real effort to strengthen the TE spot on the backs of 7th round picks and a UDFAs.

The time to improve TE is right now. Witten is 36. He's also not playing at nearly a level he played out say 5 years ago. I am not sure "weak link" is the right term but there is no question they could get more out of the TE spot and with a QB like Dak, it sure would help having a play making TE who can make some plays.

I think Witten plays because he's still better than the mediocrity we have at TE. But I think the FO and coaching staff are letting loyalty and nostalgia rule the day here and won't consider getting a better TE in here as long as Witten tells them he's playing. Jones has spent the offseason talking about all these things that they need to do to help Dak. Well getting a better threat at TE would certainly help Dak. It's foolish to suggest otherwise.

And I think some fans are letting nostalgia get in the way of rational thinking here as well.

I wouldn't draft an early round TE this season, but that's my opinion. But when you post it like all we ever did was draft 7th rounders, well that's really not accurate. Since Witten was drafted in 2003, we've drafted ONE in the 7th. 3 in the 6th round. one in the 5th. 3 TE's were drafted in the 2nd. But whatever fits your narrative I guess.

 

[Sydla]

I wouldn't draft an early round TE this season, but that's my opinion. But when you post it like all we ever did was draft 7th rounders, well that's really not accurate. Since Witten was drafted in 2003, we've drafted ONE in the 7th. 3 in the 6th round. one in the 5th. 3 TE's were drafted in the 2nd. But whatever fits your narrative I guess.

I wouldn't either. I've pretty much said they should go out and get an athletic TE in FA like a Burton or Eifert (if he is deemed healthy by the docs) who can stretch the seams, make plays down the field and get you some YACs. They would be a good pairing with Witten.

You are the one trying to make some narrative here. We are only talking about the last few years, when Witten was clearly showing signs of regression in his play. I mean you will admit that right? The Witten of 2017 isn't the same Witten as say 2010 or 2012, right? The point I made, and was clear, is that as they've seen his play regress, they've invested little in the TE position in terms of real value. Escobar is it in the last 5 years as a 2nd rounder. The other TEs taken in that period were Gathers in the 6th, Swaim in the 7th, Jarwin as a UDFA and I believe some FA roster fodder over that period as well.

So my narrative is this - as they have watched Witten get older and regress, they've done little to strengthen the TE spot in terms of real assets other than a 2nd round pick on Escobar 4 years ago. I am not sure how anyone could actually try to argue otherwise.

 

[KingintheNorth]

We have three 4th round picks and two 5th round picks. I'm perfectly okay taking a TE this year.

 

[G2]

I wouldn't either. I've pretty much said they should go out and get an athletic TE in FA like a Burton or Eifert (if he is deemed healthy by the docs) who can stretch the seams, make plays down the field and get you some YACs. They would be a good pairing with Witten.

You are the one trying to make some narrative here. We are only talking about the last few years, when Witten was clearly showing signs of regression in his play. I mean you will admit that right? The Witten of 2017 isn't the same Witten as say 2010 or 2012, right? The point I made, and was clear, is that as they've seen his play regress, they've invested little in the TE position in terms of real value. Escobar is it in the last 5 years as a 2nd rounder. The other TEs taken in that period were Gathers in the 6th, Swaim in the 7th, Jarwin as a UDFA and I believe some FA roster fodder over that period as well.

So my narrative is this - as they have watched Witten get older and regress, they've done little to strengthen the TE spot in terms of real assets other than a 2nd round pick on Escobar 4 years ago. I am not sure how anyone could actually try to argue otherwise.

To be clear, I'm all for bringing in an established TE to pair. I'm not a huge supporter of Hanna or Swaim. And yes, Witten has lost a step, but the guy can still run great routes and get open. The ole security blanket. For now. Like I said, another season or 2

 

[Dalmations202]

We have three 4th round picks and two 5th round picks. I'm perfectly okay taking a TE this year.

I am as well, in the 4-7 rounds, and even OK with taking a flyer on a player like Lamar Jackson as a TE, IF Dallas will use them to their strengths.

 

[LocimusPrime]

Wish we had Gronk. I like the way he plays