Ezekiel Elliott has helped some of his college teammates from Ohio State make it onto the Dallas Cowboys roster in recent years. Could Tight Jeff Heuerman, just released by the Broncos yesterday, be the next former Buckeye to reunite with Zeke?
Like Elliott and Heuerman, Cowboys receivers Noah Brown and Devin Smith were on Ohio State’s National Championship team in 2014. Zeke has been credited with helping get Brown drafted by Dallas in 2017, as well as advocating Smith when Dallas signed him last season.
A 3rd-round pick by Denver in 2015, Heuerman just hit free agency yesterday when the Broncos released him to save cap space and after adding younger prospects. Denver has drafted several tight ends, including 2019 1st-rounder Noah Fant, in recent years.
Still, Heuerman is just 27 and has good size and athleticism for the position. He’s played in 51 career games with 29 starts.
This isn’t to say that Jeff would challenge Blake Jarwin in any way. His career up until now doesn’t suggest that. But Heuerman could be competitive for a backup role in Dallas with only Blake Bell and Dalton Schultz currently possessing any real experience.
And of course, Heuerman would have to change his number. The Cowboys likely won’t be letting any player, especially a TE, wear the number 82 anytime soon.
This topic may be moot as Dallas already has high numbers at the tight end position. With a clear top three already in place, prospects Cole Hikutini, Sean McKeon, and Charlie Taumoepeau are battling for just a possible fourth spot on the depth chart or the practice squad.
Adding a guy with Heuerman’s experience in pedigree wouldn’t be for that bottom tier of the training camp roster. It would be to bolster the competition with Bell and Schultz for a real shot at making the team.
Having a connection to Ezekiel Elliott has helped other offensive skill players get to Dallas. We don’t know if Zeke would vouch for Heuerman like he did for Noah Brown and Devin Smith, but winning a championship together tends to form strong bonds.
Could their Ohio State history lead Elliott and Jeff Heuerman to become teammates again with the Cowboys? Given Dallas uncertainty at the TE position, it’s hardly out of the question.
