Why would we draft a TE? (Again)

[Knotamus]

I've noticed lately, a few posters advacoting that our Boys should draft a TE. I must admit, I'm baffled by this. I feel like Dallas has greater needs like the CB/S(x2), DE, WR, Including backup Qb (if Romo is gone), and OL. In order to draft a TE better than what we already have on this roster, it would take a 1st or 2nd rounder and that's way to much considering the same can be said at positions we're surely going to desire in CB & DE.

First, at 6'5" 260, we have the ageless wonder in future HOF Witten. I don't have to explain how good he continues to be. He hasn't said he's ready to go anywhere and you better believe that decision will be his to make, but it does seem inevitable.
Second, at 6'4" 260, James Hanna (6rd/12') has proven to be a capable receiver and whom Dallas has been trying to replace as a valuable blocker all season. As long as the General remains on the field it will be tough for any other TE to prove himself, even harder for a rookie. He signed a reasonable 3yr deal last offseason.
Third, at 6'4" 260, Geoff Swaim (7rd/15') showed flashes of his talent in very limited time and the coaches were starting to notice. He was getting more & more playing time before his injury. His blocking has improved to NFL ready and his soft hands and above average speed was surprising to most. My opinion, he's the closest to the mold as Witten. At a very reasonable contract thru 2018, another offseason will only make him better.
Lastly, At 6'7", Rico Gathers (6rd/16') is inexperienced, yet oozing with talent and athleticism. He has been getting rave reviews so far from Scouts and teammates. Dallas thought highly enough to draft him and pay him the maximum amount possible to convince him to stay on our practice squad to refine his talents. I admit, he's a major wild card, but he could end up being a 'diamond in the rough'.
I understand the desire to find a replacement for Witten the goat, but I can't see using a draft pick this year with the number of contracts ending in the secondary and the need for DE and a compliment for Dez at WR. If anything, bring in a UDFA blocking TE to help the run game continue to help Dak's progression and dominate opponents on the ground. Thanks for reading.

 

[The Realist]

Drafting for need. You would have been ok with Shaq Lawson and his 2 sacks this year vs Zeke?

 

[stilltheguru88]

If they like Rico then I wouldn't draft a tight end. With arak not being a downfield guy we need good tight ends. I don't get people wanting John Ross because Dak won't be looking at him that much

 

[Knotamus]

Drafting for need. You would have been ok with Shaq Lawson and his 2 sacks this year vs Zeke?

I'm not advocating to draft for need at all, not to mention teams don't truely stick with best available or need anyway. Regardless what you may believe, most teams tend to stick to there board, but need is always the deciding factor. Only makes sense, because your trying to build a team via slotted positions. Furthermore, this is the time of year to make a wish list for draft picks, debate, and collect as much info as possible on every player. So nice try discrediting my post. It's just my opinion.

 

[Hailmary]

I don't want one in the first 2 days, but there's a bunch of really intriguing mid round prospects that i'D definitely invest a pick on.

 

[Leadbelly]

I've noticed lately, a few posters advacoting that our Boys should draft a TE. I must admit, I'm baffled by this. I feel like Dallas has greater needs like the CB/S(x2), DE, WR, Including backup Qb (if Romo is gone), and OL. In order to draft a TE better than what we already have on this roster, it would take a 1st or 2nd rounder and that's way to much considering the same can be said at positions we're surely going to desire in CB & DE.

First, at 6'5" 260, we have the ageless wonder in future HOF Witten. I don't have to explain how good he continues to be. He hasn't said he's ready to go anywhere and you better believe that decision will be his to make, but it does seem inevitable.
Second, at 6'4" 260, James Hanna (6rd/12') has proven to be a capable receiver and whom Dallas has been trying to replace as a valuable blocker all season. As long as the General remains on the field it will be tough for any other TE to prove himself, even harder for a rookie. He signed a reasonable 3yr deal last offseason.
Third, at 6'4" 260, Geoff Swaim (7rd/15') showed flashes of his talent in very limited time and the coaches were starting to notice. He was getting more & more playing time before his injury. His blocking has improved to NFL ready and his soft hands and above average speed was surprising to most. My opinion, he's the closest to the mold as Witten. At a very reasonable contract thru 2018, another offseason will only make him better.
Lastly, At 6'7", Rico Gathers (6rd/16') is inexperienced, yet oozing with talent and athleticism. He has been getting rave reviews so far from Scouts and teammates. Dallas thought highly enough to draft him and pay him the maximum amount possible to convince him to stay on our practice squad to refine his talents. I admit, he's a major wild card, but he could end up being a 'diamond in the rough'.
I understand the desire to find a replacement for Witten the goat, but I can't see using a draft pick this year with the number of contracts ending in the secondary and the need for DE and a compliment for Dez at WR. If anything, bring in a UDFA blocking TE to help the run game continue to help Dak's progression and dominate opponents on the ground. Thanks for reading.

Generally, I agree and don't even believe TE will be that important in the coming era of 5,000+ yard air games. At least not the Witten style of TE. The air raid college game will continue influencing the pro game. It isn't producing those traditional two-way inline TEs as much just like it isn't producing FBs. Witten is a throwback.

That said, Witten is declining and the others are just guys. You can throw a dart blindfolded and find a Swaim or Hanna. Gathers is intriguing and ideally suited to develop behind Witten but only the coaches know. If Witten were to ever get hurt, we'd have nothing at TE. Luckily, he never gets hurt.

Also, Witten is a free agent after next season and has a $12 mil cap figure in '17. We're not getting $12 mil in production. I would bet he gets signed to a new contract this offseason to lower his number. Maybe a 5 year extension that allows the team to close things out after year 3 with minimal cap impact.

So, if that Miami TE Njoku is available in RD1, he is a very unique weapon and I'd have to think about it. He's the only one I'd consider before round 3 tho.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

I realize Witten is every fans hero, but his better days are in the rear view mirror and he's limited as a player at this point; this is starting to play itself out Emmitt's final season or two with some fans that didn't want to accept the end was near.

 

[xwalker]

Generally, I agree and don't even believe TE will be that important in the coming era of 5,000+ yard air games. At least not the Witten style of TE. The air raid college game will continue influencing the pro game. It isn't producing those traditional two-way inline TEs as much just like it isn't producing FBs. Witten is a throwback.

That said, Witten is declining and the others are just guys. You can throw a dart blindfolded and find a Swaim or Hanna. Gathers is intriguing and ideally suited to develop behind Witten but only the coaches know. If Witten were to ever get hurt, we'd have nothing at TE. Luckily, he never gets hurt.

Also, Witten is a free agent after next season and has a $12 mil cap figure in '17. We're not getting $12 mil in production. I would bet he gets signed to a new contract this offseason to lower his number. Maybe a 5 year extension that allows the team to close things out after year 3 with minimal cap impact.

So, if that Miami TE Njoku is available in RD1, he is a very unique weapon and I'd have to think about it. He's the only one I'd consider before round 3 tho.

The 12M cap hit for Witten is not the number to look at. It is his 7.4M salary that needs to match his value to the team. The part of the cap hit above 7.4M has already been paid and was for past production.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Outside of QB, RB and Center and maybe FS, you draft the best player available. If that happens to be a TE, then so be it. This is still a tight end oriented offense and Jason Witten probably doesn't have a lot of tread left on the tire.

Swaim is a solid #2 TE, but I don't see him having the ability to be a quality receiving TE. He's a good blocker that can run some basic TE routes off those blocks, but that's about it.

Escobar probably won't be with the team next season. We don't know what we have with Gathers other than a freakish athlete. But freakish athletes don't automatically make great TE's.




YR

 

[tyke1doe]

I think OJ Howard will be there for us if we want to go TE in the first. I wouldn't like it, but we need a dynamic replacement for Witten and Howard can block and catch. I think he'd be the perfect fit for our offense.
Rico is a project. I doubt he's ready for another two years.

 

[Biggems]

Late in the draft...Phazahn Odom of Fordham.....look him up, you will likey.