NFL Rumors: Insider shuts down speculation of Cowboys trading for potential star TE

The Dallas Cowboys lost to the (heavy) underdog Arizona Cardinals, so naturally the national media has been highly exaggeratory in its analysis.

ESPN's Robert Griffin III and various Cowboys reporters are pushing the notion that the team's offensive struggles in the red zone can be attributed to not having Ezekiel Elliott, who had 12 red zone touchdowns in 2022 and is a horse in short-yardage situations.

Stats debunked this narrative on arrival. The Cowboys have converted short-yardage downs on running plays at a high clip -- higher than Zeke's percentage last year. Their problem has been runs in the mid/long range (7-10 yards).

The overreactions go beyond Elliott, though.

Sure enough, it was RGIII during an appearance on "Get Up' who proposed Dallas going out and trading for Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts. Like the Cowboys missing Zeke, this idea was shut down on arrival by NFL Network insider Jane Slater.

Let's just say Jerry Jones would be laughed off the phone if he called about Pitts.

Cowboys Rumors: Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts isn't available for trade

This should surprise absolutely nobody.

For whatever reason -- and much to the chagrin of fantasy football managers -- Pitts hasn't been featured heavily in the Falcons' offense. That can be attributed to Arthur Smith's run-centric system, but Pitts has been a disappointment production-wise since he posted 1,026 receiving yards as a rookie in 2021.

Last season, he logged 28 catches for 356 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games. The idea that Pitts could transform or even fix the Cowboys' red zone problems is insane. He has three touchdowns in his entire career and is an afterthought on the Falcons offense once they enter the red zone.

It stands to reason that Pitts would be more productive in a different offense, but the Falcons used the No. 4 overall pick on him two years ago.

Why do that if they didn't plan on accentuating his superstar potential? Not a clue, but it makes sense why Atlanta isn't selling a 22-year-old physical specimen who can double as a tight end and receiver and still has two more years on his deal (assuming his fifth year option is picked up) at a team-friendly price.

The idea of Pitts on the Cowboys is fun, but it was never realistic. The offense might miss Dalton Schultz's red zone prowess, but Pitts wouldn't do much to help the cause. Once the play-calling improves, so will Dallas' RZ efficiency.

RGIII and others pushing idea that the Cowboys need more star-power is just lazy analysis.

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