As the draft nears a small wave of support for the Cowboys taking a tight end in the first round has grown. The top targets of interest at the position are Michael Mayer, Darnell Washington, and Dalton Kincaid.
But does spending a first-round pick — and the money that goes with it — on a tight end make sense?
Do the Cowboys even need to worry about the position to begin with? Frankly, no.
If Dallas was concerned about the players they have on the roster — Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot — at the position, they wouldn’t have let Dalton Schultz go.
Especially when they could have re-signed him rather cheaply after his free agency market fizzled.
Put me in the camp that thinks there is no way the Cowboys take a tight end this early. But also don’t expect me to be shocked if they somehow go ahead and do so.
This is the Jones family we’re talking about.
But let’s take a look at the pros and cons of spending the 26th pick on Thursday evening on a tight end.
Is there a good reason why one of the three listed above should be on the Cowboys’ card?
How It Could Happen
If the skill players at running back and receiver fly off the board early — an unlikely scenario — Dallas would have a tough call to make.
Shore up their offensive or defensive lines, or take a tight end. They’d be tempted to give Dak Prescott another target to throw to.
Mayer is the top-ranked player at the position coming into the draft. He’s been nicknamed “Baby Gronk” and is projected to go mid-first round. He could slip back to the Cowboys depending on how other teams draft.
If the goal is to give Prescott another target — and Mayer is gone — Kincaid would be the logical next pick. As a receiver, he checks off all the boxes.
But his Achilles Heel is his blocking, especially in the run game.
So if the Cowboys are looking for a blocking tight end — which you can get in a later round — with the potential to become a threat in the passing game, you’re looking at Washington.
But, do you spend a first-round pick on a blocker?
Why It Makes No Sense
The Cowboys have two very good tight ends on the roster already. It isn’t a position of need. And there are options available later in the draft.
Taking Tucker Kraft out of South Dakota State in the third or fourth round would be the right play. He was a solid receiver for the Jackrabbits during their National Championship run last year. And he is a solid blocker.
There are a couple of other players who will be available in the middle rounds at the position, freeing Dallas up to address greater needs.
What Will Likely Happen
Sometime late Thursday evening, the Cowboys’ draft card will be handed to Roger Goodell.
He will walk up and announce the pick.
It will likely be Bryan Bresee, a defensive tackle from Clemson, or O’Cyrus Torrence, an offensive lineman from Florida. The longshots are: Bijan Robinson (running back, Texas) or Quentin Johnson (receiver, TCU).
But if Goodell says the words “tight end” at any point during Dallas’ pick, start reaching for the smelling salts.
I’m going to need as many as I can get to revive me.
Cowboys don’t need a tight end at 1 they have Jake Ferguson who broke out last year, that’s a reason why they let Shultz walk I see them going Either O-Line or RB in round 1
Benjamin Brenner or DT, the last thing we need is a tight end that would bump Ferguson from starting
TE talk is foolish when we have just Jags @ DT and No LG, but yeah keep Talking about shiny New TE’s & WR’s. We need a QB much more than another TE!
Don’t need one
We have Ferguson and Hendershot we’re good
Jerry J. Jones-aka Jesse EXACTLY!!! I don’t understand all this attention for a TE at #26. Makes no sense when we have those other two that have dine great as rookies.
No it wouldn’t
No it wouldn’t it’s literally the only position of need that wasn’t addressed in free agency
Hello Richard! I hope they’ll get away from their normal screw-up pattern and just BE SMART for a change. The draft is an opportunity to get better and get deeper at certain positions. The Cowboys need Defensive Tackles, Guards, and I think Jack Campbell at Linebacker! Given the opportunity to play, Campbell would send Vander Esch to the bench and eventually out of Dallas. Parsons and Campbell could wreck havoc on offenses for years to come. Tight Ends we have! Ferguson and Hendershot can both play. I agree with you that another Tight End can be found later in the draft. I’m not saying Jack Campbell is a 1st rounder, just that he seems like a very good football player. Personally I’d like to see the team draft Robinson or Gibbs in the 1st round. If Pollard wasn’t or isn’t ready to start the season, both of those kids would be nice replacements.
I think Gibbs is the best out of the two. They are even in most areas other than Gibbs has had about half the work load and taken half the beating.
John, it would be a big time win for Dallas if either one falls to the 26th spot and Jerry and Stephen Jones pulled the trigger on the deal.I think Gibbs has better foot speed, but Robinson, in my opinion , is the more complete back right now.
Don’t do it ……. go o line cb even rb.
All media hype. No way they take a TE before the 4th round. I do not even understand why the media and supposed analysts keep saying it. History with Dallas and MM shows they do not spend high picks on a TE. They take them around round 4 or later. If a top guy falls badly to the 3rd then maybe. Otherwise they are not doing it.
What if all of the best OTs, and DTs are gone then Dallas trades back to a high second round pick?
Rather a running back outta Alabama Gibbs
Take the best player
And it’s the best move that the Cowboys can make it look at what you’re getting
If we bring in the best tight end in this draft, you get another guy on the offensive line and you get another player. They can catch the ball from Prescott. It’s the best move it’s the common sense move.