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Dallas Cowboys: Tight end James Hanna hangs up his cleats

By Steven Mullenax

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 01: James Hanna #84 of the Dallas Cowboys drops the football in the end zone after a touchdown in the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 01: James Hanna #84 of the Dallas Cowboys drops the football in the end zone after a touchdown in the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Dallas Cowboys tight end James Hanna announced his retirement on Friday after a six-year career due to a chronic knee injury.

When you make a selection in the sixth round of the NFL draft, you are likely looking for a developmental player, someone who has the traits to eventually find a role on an NFL roster. Sometimes you hit it big in the sixth round, like the New England Patroits did back in 2000 when they drafted Michigan quarterback Tom Brady.

For the Dallas Cowboys, they found themselves a bit of a gem in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL Draft when they selected Oklahoma tight end James Hanna. And after six years in Dallas, Hanna has decided to call it a career.

Behind future Hall of Famer Jason Witten on the depth chart, Hanna landed himself an understudy role in Dallas due to his ability as a blocker and core special teamer.

Hanna never recorded more than 12 receptions in a single season. But he did have the honor of posting the highest yards per reception average (22.0) on the team in 2017, recording four catches on nine targets for 88 yards and the lone touchdown of his career.

Like many athletes before him, a chronic knee injury is the reason the 28-year old is opting to retire now. But Hanna did get to live out his childhood dreams.

"“The dream was to play for the Cowboys,” Hanna told ESPN.com. “I don’t know how many people actually do what they say they’re going to do as like a 13-year old, but I consider myself to be extremely lucky in that sense … I feel like I met my goals. It would’ve been nice to have more stats and obviously I could’ve done more things, but I’m proud of what I accomplished.”"

With the Cowboys now placing Hanna on the reserve/retired list, not only does this move clear up $2.75 million in salary cap space, it also clears up the pecking order on the depth chart at tight end somewhat. Behind Witten on the roster are Geoff Swaim, Blake Jarwin and Rico Gathers.

Swaim, a former seventh round selection, is in the final year of his contract in Dallas. Jarwin is a player the Cowboys promoted from the practice squad to the active roster last season when they found out there were some other NFL teams interested in signing him away.

Finally, Gathers scored two touchdowns last preseason and caused a ton of excitement before a head injury sidelined him prior the start of the regular season. All three of these tight ends could eventually end up being Witten’s replacement in Dallas.

Next: Dallas Cowboys - 15 best first-round picks of all-time

For now, the tight end position will be one to watch this offseason as these three youngsters compete for the primary role behind an already legendary veteran.

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