The Landry Hat
Fansided

Dallas Cowboys are underestimating loss of Jason Witten

By Brad Austin

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - AUGUST 23: Jason Witten #82 of the Dallas Cowboys watches pregame workouts before a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium on August 23, 2014 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - AUGUST 23: Jason Witten #82 of the Dallas Cowboys watches pregame workouts before a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium on August 23, 2014 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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27 Nov 1997: David LaFleur of the Dallas Cowboys tries to break away from linebackers Joe Bowden and Leroy Jones of the Tennessee Oilers during a game at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. The Oilers won the game 27-14. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /All
27 Nov 1997: David LaFleur of the Dallas Cowboys tries to break away from linebackers Joe Bowden and Leroy Jones of the Tennessee Oilers during a game at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. The Oilers won the game 27-14. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /All /

SEVEN YEARS ON THE BACKBURNER

Between 1995-2002, Dallas spent a first and fourth round pick on tight end. They also signed two veterans drafted by other teams in the first four rounds.

Lacking investment clearly resulted in poor production. LaFleur was the only big swing and many viewed that pick with disdain. The reckless abandon of younger Jerry Jones traded a 3rd and 5th round pick to move up three spots to draft him.

After a short career of back-up level production, the wasted value routinely lands LaFleur on most lists of the Cowboys biggest draft busts.

And let’s not forget Jones’ 2013 second round debacle drafting Gavin Escobar to be Witten’s eventual successor. The wildly overvalued tight end remains a bust.

If not for drafting Martellus Bennett in 2008, Jones’ striking gold on Witten would be viewed as blind luck. He didn’t draft Novacek and no other TE selected in 28 drafts (1989-2016) besides Witten and Bennett had highly productive NFL careers.

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

WITTEN’S LOSS WILL STING

So what’s left after Witten? Swaim is a good blocker and mildly decent receiver. Blake Jarwin has better receiving skills (no NFL catches) but went undrafted in 2017.

Rico Gathers is too unpolished to provide a significant regular season impact. The rookie Schultz has the most promise but his early production ceiling is a mystery.

Brace yourself for a bumpy ride, Cowboys fans. Those who spent recent seasons bashing Witten as overpriced dead weight are about to learn their own naivety.

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