The one position the Dallas Cowboys do not need to draft

With several other prominent needs and a history of trying and failing to draft the heir apparent, the Dallas Cowboys can skip this position in the draft.

With the 69th pick in the 2003 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys select Jason Witten, tight end from the University of Tennessee.

Ever since those words were uttered 15 years ago, the Dallas Cowboys franchise would never be the same.  10 Pro Bowls, two All-Pro selections and countless team records later, Jason Witten still trucks on.

Next season will be his sixteenth in the league.  At the age of 35, his best years are behind him, yet he is still a productive player.  There will be a time when Witten no longer dons a Cowboys’ uniform.  When that time will be, no one, especially those in charge of finding his replacement seem to know.

The Dallas Cowboys have tried (and failed) to draft a compliment or replacement several times.  Almost all of them are no longer Cowboys.  Some are still in the league even.

Sean Ryan, Anthony Fasano, Martellus Bennett, John Phillips, James Hanna, Gavin Escobar, Geoff Swaim, Rico Gathers.

All of tried to unseat the legend.  All of failed.  Number 82 still owns the throne.

For that reason alone, it would be wise for the Dallas Cowboys to pass on drafting a tight end come April.  There are other reasons, however why Dallas can skip the tight end position in the upcoming draft.

One major reason is the next challenger to the throne.

No one honestly knows what the Cowboys have in Rico Gathers.  He may be another Martellus Bennett or he may be out of the league in two years.  Whatever the possibilities may be, the Cowboys need to find out.

Drafting yet another tight end is not going to help solve the riddle.  If Gathers cannot stay healthy and misses significant time again this year, draft a tight end in 2019.  If he does keep himself out of the trainer’s room, however, he needs to get playing time.

Dallas also has two other young tight ends in Geoff Swaim and Blake Jarwin they should find out about as well.  I understand that the preseason is meaningless but this team needs to limit the amount of reps Witten receives.  Use that time to evaluate Gathers, Jarwin and Swaim.

Adding another body in there is too much.

Another reason they should skip drafting a tight end is the options available.

CBS Sports only has two prospects at tight end that should be drafted in the first three rounds.  With other glaring needs (LB, WR), Dallas would likely being trying to mine for gold in a later round.

Looking at the best tight ends in the game, almost all of them were early picks.  Rob Gronkowski (42nd overall), Travis Kelce (63rd overall), Greg Olsen (31st overall), Jordan Reed (85th overall) and Zach Ertz (35th overall) were all gone well before the fourth round.

Lastly, you can just take it from the man himself.

Here is what Dallas Cowboys’ Executive Vice President Stephen Jones recently told reporters regarding one of the greatest to ever play:

"Every time we’ve drafted a tight end, Jason Witten has come into my office and said ‘well, another wasted pick,’ so I’m not gonna start doubting him now,” Jones told DallasCowboys.com. “We feel good about that position. Obviously Witten is more driven than ever. I’d never bet against him. I don’t think anyone in this organization would. We’ve got some good young tight ends. I won’t say it too loud though or he might grab me from right here. That’s what makes Jason, Jason though. He’s the ultimate competitor.”"

Next: 2018 NFL Mock Draft - Full first round

Well then, that’s enough for me as well.