Ranking the Dallas Cowboys’ 2017 Draft Needs

3. Tight End CURRENT: Jason Witten, James Hanna, Geoff Swaim, Rico Gathers This is a tricky position to gauge. Witten is locked in as a starter until he retires or his legs fall off, whichever comes …

Jason Witten
TE Jason Witten

3. Tight End

CURRENT: Jason Witten, James Hanna, Geoff Swaim, Rico Gathers

This is a tricky position to gauge. Witten is locked in as a starter until he retires or his legs fall off, whichever comes first. Behind him are a bunch of intriguing options but nobody who, right now, you’d be comfortable with as a full-time starter.

Spending a significant pick on Witten’s future replacement would essentially end the upside of Swaim and Gathers. Even Hanna, who turns 28 in July, seems to have some untapped potential. Dallas might right use 2017 to see what all of these guys really have before they go in another direction.

However, if a talented TE prospect is available then the Cowboys can’t take it lightly. Witten could be gone as soon as next year and is already slowing down, perhaps needing to finally give up some playing time to a younger guy this season. Adding more talent for this inevitable and impending transition is not a bad strategy.