The Dallas Cowboys have a lot of holes to fill in 2020, not the least of which is at the tight end position. While it looks like the top of the depth chart may be set with Blake Jarwin, a guy who could help for depth is veteran free agent Logan Thomas.
We don't know for sure that Jason Witten isn't coming back to the Cowboys in 2020, and if that happens then this may be a moot point. After all, Dallas would then have Jarwin, Witten, and Dalton Schultz all competing for playing time.
But assuming Witten doesn't return then at least one new body will be needed. And while he turns 29 in July, Logan Thomas' unique career path may mean there's still some upside to be unleashed.
Thomas was a fourth-round pick in 2014 as a quarterback coming out of Virginia Tech. He spent two years with the Cardinals and Dolphins trying to make it as a backup QB but eventually switched to tight end midway through the 2016 season when he joined the Lions' practice squad.
Logan was quickly poached by Buffalo that year and continued to develop for two more seasons there as a tight end, but never more than a backup and special teams player. As a free agent in 2019, Thomas returned to Detroit on a one-year deal and had his best season yet with 16 catches for 173 yards and a touchdown in backup duty.
Again, we're talking about depth here. I'm not looking for Thomas to come compete with Jarwin for the starting job.
But in Logan Thomas you get experience plus the potential for further growth, given he's only been playing the TE position for a few years. He also has special teams ability.
One especially interesting factor with Thomas is his quarterback experience. He has the ability to be your emergency third QB, which is valuable for the Cowboys as it frees up a roster spot.
Dallas went with just two quarterbacks on the 2019 roster in Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush. And while Randall Cobb will likely be back to also serve in an emergency QB role, it never hurts to have another option.
Granted, what matters most here is if a guy can really play the TE position and be a solid special teams contributor. But if Logan Thomas' rising production and playing time since 2016 are any indication, he may be an under-the-radar free agent who could provide real value to the Cowboys next season.
