Should the Dallas Cowboys pursue Jimmy Graham?
By Tim Kohut
In the aftermath of a disappointing 2017 campaign, it’s obvious the Cowboys are in need of more playmakers. Could Jimmy Graham fit the mold?
The Dallas Cowboys finished their 2017 season with a victory in a 6-0 stinker against a Wentz-less Eagles squad, and no game could have summed up Dallas’ season in such an accurate manner.
Dez Bryant drops, Dak Prescott overthrows, failed third-down opportunities, and just an all-around sloppy performance highlighted an extremely ugly Week 17 victory.
Coming into the season, it appeared Dallas had one of the more talented rosters in the NFL, but that was clearly not the case as the season progressed. Dak Prescott deserves a share of the blame for his regressed play, but it became increasingly obvious that Dallas didn’t boast the plethora of playmakers many thought they did.
Going into the offseason, one of the more obvious needs on the offensive side of the football is a playmaking receiver who can stretch the field. Dez Bryant’s return status is currently up in the air, and but even if he does return, a speedy wideout is definitely at the top of Dallas’ wish list.
However, there’s another position that could be right up with there with wide receiver, and that’s, surprisingly enough to some, tight end.
Sure, the Cowboys have a future Hall-of-Famer entrenched at the position. But it’s clear that Jason Witten isn’t a top-flight receiving tight end at 35, going on 36 years of age. He might still be one of the all-around best in-light tight ends in the game, but he’s certainly not the receiving threat that most new-tight ends today are.
Make no mistakes– Witten has value as a second tight end as both a blocker and possession threat over the middle. He could also even play a little fullback on run-downs. But he’s never really been a touchdown guy, and his speed has greatly diminished, especially considering he’s never been a blazer to begin with.
One guy who could fit the Cowboy’s need for a red zone threat and seam option up the middle is none other than Seattle Seahawks’ tight end Jimmy Graham, who looks all but destined to be leaving Seattle after an up and down tenure.
Here’s what Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times had to say about Graham’s inevitable split from the Seahawks.
"He had 10 touchdown receptions this season in what was his third year in Seattle. And he is maybe Russell Wilson’s best friend on the team — Wilson entertainingly referred to Graham on Monday as being “like a unicorn. There are only so many of them in the world.’’ But Graham has been an uneven fit in Seattle and at age 31 is undoubtedly excited to enter free agency for the first time in his NFL career. Generally considered really unlikely to be back in Seattle."
Graham had struggled to fit in the Seattle offense at times, but his basketball player frame always made him a viable red zone option for Russell Wilson. And we all know offensive coordinator Scott Linehan likes to throw the ball in red zone (almost to a fault). With Witten’s diminishing skills and lack of red zone ability, Graham could prove to be a seamless fit in Dallas’ offense if he does, indeed, leave Seattle.
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While he might not be the best run blocker, having a blocker like Jason Witten in the fold would alleviate some of that pressure, and allow Jimmy Graham to move around in different formations. If the Dallas Cowboys do decide to spend their money in free agency, Graham is certainly a name worth considering.