The Landry Hat
Fansided

Dallas Cowboys Final Roster Prediction: Tight Ends

By Steven Mullenax

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 12: Rico Gathers #80 of the Dallas Cowboys catches a pass as Folarin Orimolade #56 of the Los Angeles Rams defends during the second half of a presason game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 12: Rico Gathers #80 of the Dallas Cowboys catches a pass as Folarin Orimolade #56 of the Los Angeles Rams defends during the second half of a presason game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Will the Dallas Cowboys go heavy at the tight end position this season in order to keep a budding preseason superstar on their active roster?

The Dallas Cowboys have had the luxury of possessing one of the league’s best tight ends for over a decade. With that kind of security blanket in place, the position has always appeared to fairly easy to figure out at this time of year.

But the Cowboys do have two returning veteran tight ends coming off injuries and a young, rising star at the position hoping he did enough in the preseason to earn himself a spot on the final 53-man roster. Here’s our prediction for which tight ends the Cowboys elect to keep, and who they will choose to let go prior to Saturday’s final cut down day.

Tight End Position

Who’s in?

Analysis:

Obviously Jason Witten will be the starter in Dallas for the foreseeable future. It’s unclear how much longer the 35-year will lace ’em up, but he still has the ability to get open when he needs to. And Witten is coming off an excellent preseason.

Both James Hanna and Geoff Swaim are coming off injury plagued seasons. Still, I think the Cowboys love both players as receivers and blockers. They make our 53.

Finally, there is Rico Gathers. The former basketball player turned heads in the preseason, scoring touchdowns in back-to-back games. Unfortunately, Gathers suffered a concussion during practice over two weeks ago and has been sidelined ever since. There is a chance he lands on Injured Reserve to start the season.

But due to Gathers preseason performance, Dallas can not risk putting him on the waiver wire. So if cleared, expect him to be on the Cowboys’ active roster. If he’s placed on IR, his spot could be used to address another area of need.

Who’s out?

  • Blake Jarwin
  • M.J. McFarland

Analysis:

There is a possibility either Blake Jarwin or M.J. McFarland land on the Cowboys’ practice squad. But it’s likely better to think of each as emergency contacts in case Dallas needs a tight end in a pinch during the upcoming regular season.

Next: Comparing 10 Dallas Cowboys to their NBA counterparts

Final Word:

I think the Dallas Cowboys tight end position is fairly easy to parse, with the one wildcard being the status of Rico Gathers. Whether Gathers is place on the active roster or on Injured Reserve – designated to return, the former Baylor rebounder makes our squad regardless.

Home/Cowboys News