xwalker
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They have upgraded at WR.
Dez 2017
132 targets
69 catches
838 yards
12.1 average
6 TDs
52% catch rate
Hurns in highest target year
105 targets
64 catches
1031 yards
16.1 average
10 TDs
69% catch rate
More yards and more TDs on 27 less targets.
WR Comparisons 2017 vs 2018:
Dez (2017 version) vs Hurns
Advantage: 2018
Hurns with significant 3 year stat advantage when adjusted for same number of targets.
#2 and #3 WRs
TWill and Beasley remain.
Advantage: Break Even
Possible Upgrade in 2018
Young Outside WRs
Brown vs Gallup
College catches 33 vs 176
Advantage: 2018
Second slot WR
Switzer vs Austin
Advantage: 2018
Deep Threat
Butler vs Thompson
4.37 vs 4.31
Advantage: Break Even
Other:
Cedrick Wilson was really good in college. He was a QB in High School which delayed his development in college. Way more developed as a WR than Noah Brown was when drafted.
Tight End
Witten at his peak is what we tend to remember but he was not that player anymore in 2017.
The biggest change in 2018 is that there will be less predictibility due to Witten playing 100% of the snaps.
They can run some 4 WR, 1 RB sets.
In 2 TE sets, defenses have to consider that either TE might be targeted.
The young TEs will add a little speed back to the position.
Witten (2017)
Became just a short area receiving option. Lack of YAC became a bigger issue as he tended to catch more passes short of the 1st down marker.
The Cowboys blocking scheme often requires quickness from the TEs for reach blocks, move TE (H-Back) type blocking and leading on many outside runs.
Going back to early 2016 Witten started struggling with some of the blocks that required quickness. They have a play where the TE pulls around behind the OL and blocks the DE on the opposite side. This play made it very obvious that Witten was getting too slow to consistently make this block. They eventually started using the 2nd TE to make the block.
Hanna
He became a good blocker in the Cowboys scheme; however, it took him a couple of years in the NFL to develop the blocking fundamentals that Dalton Schultz displayed in college.
Swaim
No problem in 9 games during 2016 as the 2nd TE when Hanna was out for the season. Swaim only played 9 that season due to injury.
Dalton Schultz
Advanced blocking fundamentals in college. Showed good route running ability/awareness in limited opportunities.
Blake Jarwin
Ulility blocker (FB, H-Back, TE) in college. Cowboys kept him on the 53 as an inactive player. Eagles wanted him. Cowboys like his pass catching ability in practice.
Geoff Swaim
Solid blocker.
Rico Gathers
Boom or bust. Physically similar to MartyB. Terrific physical ability as both a blocker and receiver. Ability to learn the fundamentals/nuances/scheme is unknown.
- Hurns is better than the 2017 version of Dez.
- Obviously Hurns is not better than Dez at his peak.
- Hurns has similar stats to Dez over the past 3 years despite significantly less targets.
- Better fit with Dak due to better route running awareness.
- No force feeding of the ball required.
- Not a distraction.
- More variety of routes and has played from the slot.
Dez 2017
132 targets
69 catches
838 yards
12.1 average
6 TDs
52% catch rate
Hurns in highest target year
105 targets
64 catches
1031 yards
16.1 average
10 TDs
69% catch rate
More yards and more TDs on 27 less targets.
WR Comparisons 2017 vs 2018:
Dez (2017 version) vs Hurns
Advantage: 2018
Hurns with significant 3 year stat advantage when adjusted for same number of targets.
#2 and #3 WRs
TWill and Beasley remain.
Advantage: Break Even
Possible Upgrade in 2018
Young Outside WRs
Brown vs Gallup
College catches 33 vs 176
Advantage: 2018
Second slot WR
Switzer vs Austin
Advantage: 2018
Deep Threat
Butler vs Thompson
4.37 vs 4.31
Advantage: Break Even
Other:
Cedrick Wilson was really good in college. He was a QB in High School which delayed his development in college. Way more developed as a WR than Noah Brown was when drafted.
Tight End
Witten at his peak is what we tend to remember but he was not that player anymore in 2017.
The biggest change in 2018 is that there will be less predictibility due to Witten playing 100% of the snaps.
They can run some 4 WR, 1 RB sets.
In 2 TE sets, defenses have to consider that either TE might be targeted.
The young TEs will add a little speed back to the position.
Witten (2017)
Became just a short area receiving option. Lack of YAC became a bigger issue as he tended to catch more passes short of the 1st down marker.
The Cowboys blocking scheme often requires quickness from the TEs for reach blocks, move TE (H-Back) type blocking and leading on many outside runs.
Going back to early 2016 Witten started struggling with some of the blocks that required quickness. They have a play where the TE pulls around behind the OL and blocks the DE on the opposite side. This play made it very obvious that Witten was getting too slow to consistently make this block. They eventually started using the 2nd TE to make the block.
Hanna
He became a good blocker in the Cowboys scheme; however, it took him a couple of years in the NFL to develop the blocking fundamentals that Dalton Schultz displayed in college.
Swaim
No problem in 9 games during 2016 as the 2nd TE when Hanna was out for the season. Swaim only played 9 that season due to injury.
Dalton Schultz
Advanced blocking fundamentals in college. Showed good route running ability/awareness in limited opportunities.
Blake Jarwin
Ulility blocker (FB, H-Back, TE) in college. Cowboys kept him on the 53 as an inactive player. Eagles wanted him. Cowboys like his pass catching ability in practice.
Geoff Swaim
Solid blocker.
Rico Gathers
Boom or bust. Physically similar to MartyB. Terrific physical ability as both a blocker and receiver. Ability to learn the fundamentals/nuances/scheme is unknown.
