Will Dallas Cowboys draft sleeper tight end as 2013 redo?
By Brad Austin
In 2013, the Dallas Cowboys attempted to mimic the 2-tight end domination of the New England Patriots. Are they poised to try again?
The early off-season buzz inside the Dallas Cowboys fan base contains a strong urge to draft an electric wide receiver.
Clearly Dez Bryant isn’t living up to the elite weapon status of his huge contract. The rest of the starting receiving corps saw a decline in yards as well.
Fans are strongly in agreement that Bryant should take a pay cut or be released. Unfortunately supportive comments from ownership signal otherwise.
The only potential loss at the position could be Brice Butler and replacing 317 yards is not something to keep one up at night.
I agree Dallas needs another weapon in the receiving game. However, the means they try to achieve it could have a familiar look from five years ago.
SECOND ATTEMPT AT 12 PERSONNEL
From 2010-12 the New England Patriots abused NFL defenses in 12 personnel featuring tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez.
Heading into 2013, Jerry Jones was salivating at similar possibilities for his offense.
Pro Bowlers Jason Witten (TE) and Dez Bryant (WR) were returning to lead the passing offense. DeMarco Murray (RB) was expected to break out in his third season.
Jones was antsy to add another dangerous tight end to pair with those weapons and create a Patriots style offensive monster.
The idea was sound as the other necessary pieces were in place. Especially after landing the best center in the draft in round one.
The miscalculation came with trying to force a square peg into a round hole.
Second round pick Gavin Escobar (TE) was an awful fit for designs to make 12 personnel the base package. He was a decent receiver but a horrible blocker.
The Cowboys have an uncanny knack for bombing on second round picks. Yet Escobar still makes fans wince five years later.
THE DALLAS TO DALLAS CONNECTION
Five years later the Cowboys are stuck in no man’s land at pick 19. It’s unlikely they’ll have a chance to land the ideal game breaking wide receiver in round one.
However there is an intriguing tight end poised to rise up the draft board from the second round and turn some heads.
Get used to hearing the name Dallas Goedert over the next few months. The 6-5, 250 pound tight end from South Dakota State is the top FCS prospect in the draft.
The former walk-on was even named after the Cowboys, his father’s favorite team.
Goedert already has a solid build, is highly athletic for his size, and far more versatile in all areas than Escobar wishes he could be.
He’s a plus in-line blocker who can also split out wide and beat defensive backs. His excellent leap and catch ability should provide a red zone nightmare.
Goedert recorded a whopping 169 catches, 2,361 yards, and 17 TD’s his final two seasons. In 2016, TCU felt his wrath of 5 catches for 96 yards and a score.
The Cowboys saw firsthand what standout rookie tight end Evan Engram (772 yards, 6 TD’s) provided the Giants in 2017.
Next: Cowboys 2018 NFL Draft - Positions off limits in 1st round
Jones may be feeling a bit nostalgic about a return to past 12 personnel aspirations.
There’s also the aspect of securing Witten’s successor before the grisly veteran moves on in a few years. Dallas landing in Dallas makes sense in a lot of ways.