News: Position Series: Depth Is Surprisingly Thin At TE Entering Offseason

[CATCH17]

Watchout for Nick Vannett.

 

[texbumthelife]

Do you have any idea what his cap number is this year, or how much his salary is this year?

He has a cap charge of 8.6 million in 2016. That is his base salary of 6.2 million plus the 2.1 million from when he restructured to help the team. Cutting Witten brings his cap charge down to 4.2 million in dead money (2.1 post June 1st).

In other words, they save $4 million by cutting him. That is chump change in this league. So not only are the savings minuscule, but you're also hoping you can get someone to come in and replace Witten immediately. I don't know exactly how delusional the whole cut Witten camp is, but if you think it's going to be easy to replace what he means and does in the passing game, you're dead wrong.

At the very least, they may as well let him play through 2016. If they cut him after June 1st in 2017, it's only a 2 million cap hit and by then they've had time to hopefully find a suitor and bring him up to speed. Then again, the same people clamoring to cut Witten will probably drop a nut when the team signs/drafts another TE. Gotta love that damned if you do, damned if you don't, crowd...

 

[Hardline]

Hunter Henry is 2nd round worthy.

 

[Risen Star]

Nick Vannett. He's Jason Witten but with talent and without the questionable uncomfortably close friendship with our QB.

 

[Risen Star]

This shows how out of touch these website writers are to say something like on the surface TE doesn't appear to be a need. As if he's seeing things fans can't see.

Certainly it's a need. Witten is no better than solid and in decline. He's a very limited player anymore. Escobar has been a bust before the bad injury. Hanna isn't worth mentioning.

This team needs an entire new set of skill position players including a starting TE. Don't let the Witten worship get in the way of that. It's not 2006. We'll always have the memories.

 

[Floatyworm]

At this point in JW's career, he needs to be in as the #2 TE. Blocking and short routes on 3rd & short and goal line situations, the occasional deep route to mix it up.

I feel the offense would function better with another TE as the main passing option.

Agree......

He can't block. Infact he's piss poor @ it.

The penalties.... He's neck and neck w/ Doug Free as the teams most frustrating player....

He barely made it through this season. If the Cowboys are smart.....they draft someone in the 3rd-4th rounds...and have him groom under Witten for a season...working him in more as the season progresses. We need to start the process of phasing Witten and Romo out of the offense...Counting on players that are close to retirement just isn't smart football.

 

[Alohawg1]

Hunter Henry is 2nd round worthy.

I believe so too, has solid all-pro potential, imo.

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

Nick Vannett. He's Jason Witten but with talent and without the questionable uncomfortably close friendship with our QB.

But with talent. lol.

 

[Kaiser]

He has a cap charge of 8.6 million in 2016. That is his base salary of 6.2 million plus the 2.1 million from when he restructured to help the team.

I agree with your post in general but would nitpick one point. No player is doing the team a favor by restructuring. They are either taking a forced paycut because of performance or they are take their salary upfront as a bonus rather than salary over the course of the season. In that case, it is very much to the players advantage, because 2.4 Million dollars today is worth a lot more than getting 200K a month for 12 months.

 

[Kaiser]

Also to the OP I disagree this is a position to worry about. Witten is slowing down but has plenty left in the tank, especially if Romo is throwing the ball to him. Escobar is what he is and will never be Witten, but he will catch a lot of passes if they target him. Swaim should be a good rotational player this year after an offseason in the system.

 

[Hardline]

I believe so too, has solid all-pro potential, imo.

I agree. If he is BPA at 34 I would definitely take him. This TE really can replace Witten when the time comes.

 

[ringmaster]

I don't believe JW is keeping anyone seeing the field. The TEs we drafted are are crappy and busts, it is not like a TE is great caliber and sitting on the bench just because JW doesn't want to come out. When Peyton Manning is benched for better option at QB, I don't think we are playing JW for the sake of playing him. JW is great team player and I don't see him as a selfish player, he does everything the coaches ask him to do and never bothered about stats

I wouldn't consider Escobar a bust because when his number was called he did make plays in smaller doses imo the Cowboys covets TEs in the Witten mode not the Graham mode as for those of us who want a Patriot style of a 2 TE offense can keep dreaming because as long as the current coaching staff is here it won't happen in this Cowboy offense the 2nd TE for those of us who know is primarily a blocker who they occasionally send out in pass patterns as for Witten, as long as he is healthy and able to play then he will and other TEs will be 2 fiddle to him regardless how talented they are.

 

[Risen Star]

The difference with drafting a TE now as opposed to the past is we aren't looking for a guy to work in a two TE offense. We are now looking for Witten's replacement. The opportunity will now be there for that draft pick to take over the starting gig during his first contract. It wasn't there for Fasano, Bennett or Escobar.

 

[arglebargle]

Draft a stud blocking TE in the later rounds. Until Witten retires, there is no point spending a high draft pick on a TE; he'll never see the field.

There are no stud blocking TEs in college anymore. You might be better off hunting for a skinny lineman with better than usual agility.

 

[Oh_Canada]

I don't believe JW is keeping anyone seeing the field. The TEs we drafted are are crappy and busts, it is not like a TE is great caliber and sitting on the bench just because JW doesn't want to come out. When Peyton Manning is benched for better option at QB, I don't think we are playing JW for the sake of playing him. JW is great team player and I don't see him as a selfish player, he does everything the coaches ask him to do and never bothered about stats

So you're saying the guy catching all those passs in Chicago was a bust?

 

[K-DOGG]

Why waste another premium draft pick on another TE that is not going to play? As long as Witten is still in Dallas, all other TE's will be back ups and blockers! Go heavily for defense in this draft! A speedy WR or a RB is the only offensive players I would take! D should rule the day!

 

[jnday]

I hope there is a top ratedTE prospect available with the 4th pick. TEs are not appreciated by this fanbase.

 

[Kaiser]

I hope there is a top ratedTE prospect available with the 4th pick. TEs are not appreciated by this fanbase.

Do you think the Bears would take the 4th pick for Martellus Bennett straight up? Who says no?

j/k....

 

[jnday]

Do you think the Bears would take the 4th pick for Martellus Bennett straight up? Who says no?

j/k....

Lol, I sure think they need him back in Dallas. It might take the 4th pick sndA mid-rounder to get him back.

 

[CATCH17]

Hunter Henry is 2nd round worthy.

Can he block at all?