Dallas Cowboys Training Camp: Tight Ends Battle
We look at one of the Dallas Cowboys most interesting and underrated position battles heading into training camp.
With the Dallas Cowboys training camp right around the corner, a lot of roster spots will be up for grabs with hopes of being sorted out while the team visits Oxnard, California.
Some of the roster battles resonate more with the fans, such as the possibility of Brice Butler beating out Terrance Williams for the number two wide receiver position. There are other, more under the radar battles that will help solidify the bottom of this roster and eventually contribute to a hopefully playoff team.
The tight end position doesn’t get a lot of talking time because of some guy who leads the group wearing number 82. You may have heard of Jason Witten and his roster spot is undoubtedly secure but there are four other players on this roster behind him.
This team is not going to carry five tight ends. James Hanna re-signed with the team this offseason and Gavin Escobar is coming off of injury entering the final year of his contract. It is safe to say that the top three at the position are almost certainly a lock to make this team.
Things get interesting after that. Geoff Swaim is a second year player whom the team liked so much that they traded back into last years draft to take him. He has shown some promise not only as a catcher but as an inline blocker. A full offseason to further develop his body is only going to help his chances of making the roster.
The other final player at the tight end position has quickly become a favorite around team fans; Rico Gathers. Gathers comes to the team via this year’s draft and many fans expect him to be a lock for the final roster. When you look at the experienced depth and talent within the group you quickly realize that isn’t the case.
Most fans know Rico’s story, the former Baylor basketball star has begun the transition to professional football and the Cowboys are giving him his initial chance. The reality is Gathers’ faces a tremendous uphill battle not only with the development of himself as a player but with the depth already on the roster.
Gathers needs to show up to minicamp and really stand out not only as a pass catcher, where most assume he should have his most success, but also as a hand in the ground blocker. Rico has to outplay Swaim and I think it is safe to say that he has to outplay he pretty handily in order to earn himself a spot on the final 53-man roster.
It is safe to say that the top three tight end spots are secured by productive and familiar faces. It’s also safe to say that training camp is going to provide a fun battle between Swaim and Gathers, who will both be fighting for the final spot in the group.
Both players should see ample playing time in the preseason and both player will need to display a well-rounded game in order satisfy the Cowboys aspirations when it comes to developing a tight end.
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