By now it's no secret the Dallas Cowboys don't have a first-round draft pick in the upcoming 2019 NFL Draft. The Amari Cooper trade took care of that, meaning sitting through the entire Day 1 could be a little tiresome for us fans. But, Day 2 of the draft could get really interesting for the Cowboys, especially as it pertains to the players/positions they could target.
Today, I wanted to take a look at a few of the Day 2 tight end prospects the Dallas Cowboys could be interested in. This would be the second tier of TEs behind the likes of T.J. Hockenson, Noah Fant, and Irv Smith, all of which should be gone by the time the Cowboys are on the clock at 58th overall in the second round.
I really believe that if the Dallas Cowboys plan on drafting a starting caliber tight end in this year's draft class they are going to have to do it with either their second or third round selection. The TEs available beyond that point probably aren't much of an upgrade over Blake Jarwin or Dalton Schultz, which is praise in itself about the upside of the young TEs they currently have on the roster.
With all of that in mind, I put together a list of three tight ends I would personally target on Day 2 if I were the Cowboys. I tried to identify what they typically look for in a starting TE (size, speed, athleticism), while also taking into account the ones that are are versatile enough to contribute on all three downs in both the running and passing game.
Isaac Nauta, Georgia

Georgia TE Isaac Nauta
Isaac Nauta is a former five-star recruit who never really lived up to his billing during his time with the Georgia Bulldogs. He is a top-notch blocker both in line and when split out wide, but due to the Bulldogs run heavy offense he never really developed into the pass catcher many envisioned him becoming. He possesses good speed and terrific hands to be a threat in the passing game though, even if he doesn't show a lot of separation ability on film.
Nauta looks and plays like a prototypical Dallas Cowboys tight end. He has the desired size (6'4", 246), athleticism, and skill set to step in and be the Cowboys TE1 as a rookie. His blocking ability alone will get him on the field early, but he also shows enough pass catching ability to be a threat in the passing game as well. Overall, Nauta is a pro-ready three down TE who is a high floor prospect with very little downside.
Jace Sternberger, Texas A&M

Texas A&M TE Jace Sternberger
Jace Sternberger is a former three-star recruit and the definition of a one-year wonder. He was basically a complete unknown before the 2018 season and had just one catch for 5 yards during his two years at Kansas before deciding to transfer to JUCO. He didn't fare much better at Northern Oklahoma A&M, but Jimbo Fisher thought enough of him to bring him aboard a Texas A&M, essentially turning him into an All-American and first team All-SEC.
Sternberger is almost the exact opposite of Isaac Nauta, but still has the desired traits the Dallas Cowboys look for in their tight ends. Unlike Nauta, Sternberger is much more accomplished as a passing threat. He runs and moves like a big wide receiver and possesses good separation ability. Due to his size (6'4", 250) and athletic ability he is difficult to bring down after the catch as well. He's not as accomplished as a blocker as Nauta, but he shows good technique and will improve in time with added strength. He has the ability to be the Cowboys TE1 as a rookie.
Dawson Knox, Ole Miss

Ole Miss TE Dawson Knox
Dawson Knox is a former walk-on quarterback at Ole Miss, but spent the last two years playing tight end for the Rebels. He is one of the more difficult tight ends to evaluate in this draft class due to the unorthodox offense he played in and his usage in the system, but may actually be more pro-ready than many of us believe. He does have the size (6'4", 250), speed, and natural hands to be a complete three-down TE in the NFL and reminds me a little bit of George Kittle when he was entering the league.
Knox is still pretty raw as a player, but moldable and he has the upside to be one of the best tight ends in this entire draft class. He could probably compete to be the Dallas Cowboys TE1 as a rookie, but it might be better for him to be in a timeshare of sorts while he develops his God-given talent. Nevertheless, I have a hard time seeing him making it out of Day 2 of the draft, especially after he puts on a show at the NFL Scouting Combine. His talent might be too much for the Cowboys to pass up.
nick
April 5, 2018 at 11:41 am
If they could pull that off and come out of the draft with josey Jewell as well id be ecstatic. That would probably be about all the picks we get but that would cover our problem areas from this year besides WR. Looks like we’d have to get a solid WR and Safety next year. I get the feeling that these receivers are going to perform way better this year with the new coach and the competition in the WR room, and of course dak will have more time if Tyrons healthy and we add hernandez. If the draft went this way I really think the only question mark would be if Kris Richard can get our safety positions figured out and get them playing solid. I’d be pumped if they pulled your draft scenario off especially if they figured a way to get Jewell too.
Saul Molina
April 5, 2018 at 11:48 am
That would be an A+ draft
Saul Molina
April 5, 2018 at 11:50 am
They could get vita vea rd1 trade back for will hernandez get josey jewell and sign tre boston or kenny vaccaro
GoNavyBeatArmy
April 6, 2018 at 5:50 am
The problem with Tre Boston is he wants ET money, which, at least so far, no team is willing to pay.
Stasheroo
April 5, 2018 at 1:26 pm
I don’t hate the idea but it should be fleshed out better with more accurate trade cost numbers.
Garrett Smith
April 5, 2018 at 2:56 pm
Author, this is one of the most sound theories I’ve heard. Thank you for displaying a bit of football acumen.
Alan Kelley
April 5, 2018 at 3:00 pm
Yeah, VV will probably be a beast in the nfl, and Will H will probably be one too. This scenario has one glaring problem; the DL is already fairly deep in the Cowboys organization and the LB Corp is very thin. Lee gets hurts every year. Smith is still unknown, so this area should be a much much bigger concern…. Just saying…
Hoosiers86
April 5, 2018 at 3:16 pm
I think the Cowboys will get Dez to take a pay cut and keep him one more year, so this scenerio in the 1st round would be great for Dallas. They do need linebackers, a safety who can cover and tackle, a TE, as I hope this is Witten’s last year. Then draft for special teams and the future.
Frank Castle
April 5, 2018 at 5:54 pm
How about the Cowboys trade their pick to the Pats for their two picks? Maybe the pats want a WR from Alabama.
Edward Wigglesworth
April 5, 2018 at 7:42 pm
If they can pull this off awesome, I sincerely doubt it. All this talk of Dallas being loaded with compensation picks is BS…they are all last pick in 4th round and below…they are throw away
EverybodyTalks
April 5, 2018 at 11:18 pm
The 4 compensatory picks are worth 88 points depending on what trade value chart you use. The Dallas 2nd round pick, plus all the comp picks, doesn’t get you close to any other 1st round pick. It would take all of the above – your 2nd(400 pts.), 3rd(185 pts.), 4th(62 pts.) and 3 comps(74 pts.), which puts Dallas at 721 pts. for the 25th pick. Basically, you are saying let’s shoot it all for a Guard. Sorry, but there are other needs to be addressed and that won’t happen when all you have left are a 6th and 7th round pick.
GoNavyBeatArmy
April 6, 2018 at 5:55 am
Dropping two top 100 picks to get Will Hernandez is a pretty steep price I think. Aren’t there any guards that may be available at 50 that aren’t that far below Hernandez? For Instance, is Billy Price that much of a downgrade from Hernandez that you’d essentially drop your 3rd rd pick (equivalently) to take Hernandez?
Randy Terhorst
April 6, 2018 at 7:13 am
That would be great if they could do it.
Randy Terhorst
April 6, 2018 at 7:15 am
As far as the TE thing goes i think Rico is going to be a good one.
Justin T Johnston
April 6, 2018 at 8:25 am
Unfortunately the only way we get VV is trading up. He’s not falling to us.
Myson Youknowwho
April 6, 2018 at 11:32 am
Great if it COULD happen. However I am beginning to believe Vea won’t be there for Dallas to pick at 19. Now if you want to trade back to 23-26 pick Hernandez and pick up a extra second that you use to move back into the first for say Payne I would be fine with that