Who will be the Dallas Cowboys starter at tight end?

Dallas Cowboys (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Dallas Cowboys (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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The Dallas Cowboys have many questions to answer around their offense. Today we take a look at which tight end could step up and lead the group.

Everyone is talking about the Dallas Cowboys receivers this offseason. But the Cowboys have more pressing questions about their offense. Dallas now must figure out who will become their new starting tight end.

They have tight ends with abilities they can build on, but which will take advantage of the reps in practice to become the starter. Let’s take a look at these players and what they bring to the table for the Cowboys.

First up, the fan favorite Rico Gathers.

Gathers is the most athletically gifted of the tight ends on the roster at this point. He has the speed and size to cause major problems in the receiving game. Whether using his speed running seam routes or his height in the red zone he can be a matchup nightmare.

While Gathers can do all of this his main detriment would be his ability to block and experience playing the game. Gathers did not play football in college. He last played in middle school before being drafted by the Cowboys in 2016. If he can work on his blocking and stay healthy he has a great chance to start for the Cowboys.

Next up, the decision makers favorite Blake Jarwin.

Jarwin comes in as an undrafted player in 2017. Mainly used as a blocking tight end in college, he was able to total  41 receptions for 616 yards and 5 touchdowns. Jarwin has been getting a lot of press due to the praise from the Director of Player Personnel Stephen Jones and Vice President of Player Personnel Will McClay.

Both have said they like his game and that he has shown great improvement during his time with the Cowboys. They like him so much that when the Eagles tried to sign him off their practice squad, the Cowboys moved him to their active roster to protect him. If Jarwin can show that he can be a receiving threat for this team he has a great chance to become their starter.

Now on to the rookie Dalton Schultz.

Schultz was selected in the fourth round in this year’s draft by the Cowboys. Schultz like Jarwin has mainly been used as a blocking tight end in college. Even though that was his main role he was able to total 55 receptions for 555 yards and five touchdowns.

Schultz told reporters that he will surprise a lot of people with his receiving ability. Coming in as the newly drafted tight end he has a great shot to become the starter. Though like Jarwin he will need to prove he can run routes and create space as a receiver to be the starter.

Last but not least, the forgotten man Geoff Swaim.

Geoff Swaim, the forgotten man of the group. During his rookie season, Swaim was used as a blocking tight end. He did make some plays in the passing game as well.

What really has hurt Swaim would be his inability to stay healthy. Injuries to his foot and pectoral muscle have limited his playing time. If Swaim can stay healthy he has the best chance to be the starting tight end. He has the most experience on the team which helps him.

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We aren’t going to know who will be the starting tight end until probably training camp but the Cowboys have a good group of guys to choose from. It’s up to them now to step up and perform.

Who do you want to be the starter?

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