Top 5 draft picks Cowboys can select to replace Dalton Schultz

Cowboys TE prospect No. 4: Payne Durham, Purdue

If Dallas didn't want to take a tight end in the first couple of rounds — which might be the case depending on how they feel about second-year pro Jake Ferguson — they could look for a mid-round prospect such as Payne Durham. Listed at 6-foot-6 and 253 pounds, Durham is a former lacrosse player that converted to football late in his high school career.

He spent four seasons at Purdue and finished his career with 126 receptions for 1,275 yards with 21 touchdowns.

He's not as athletic as some of the other stars in this class — evidenced by his 4.87 in the 40-yard dash — but he might be the best in-line blocker. He's also still a factor in the passing game, serving as a safety net that's capable of making big plays from time to time.

Durham could be a great option for Dallas should they believe Ferguson is a capable starter. If so, the former Boilermaker would be a perfect complement as a blocking tight end — whereas Peyton Hendershot can continue to serve as the pass-catching reserve.

Another positive in targeting Durham would be where he would land in the draft. Chances are high that he will be there on Day 3, meaning the Cowboys could fill greater needs — or simply package picks and go for a home run — while still finding a contributor at tight end.