Why the Cowboys need to address tight end early in the 2023 NFL Draft
The Dallas Cowboys need to have a plan to replace Dalton Schultz at tight end.
The Dallas Cowboys are in an intriguing position right now at skill positions on offense. They have their franchise quarterback in Dak Prescott. Aside from that, there's plenty of uncertainty.
They may move off of Ezekiel Elliott as their starting running back after franchise tagging Tony Pollard. Dallas could use another legit threat at wide receiver to accompany CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup. Their biggest question mark is at tight end, though.
Starting TE Dalton Schultz is a free agent, and it sounds unlikely that he returns to the Cowboys. How can they replace him to get production immediately?
In his latest mock draft, ESPN analyst Todd McShay gave the Cowboys a new tight end in the first round. Utah TE Dalton Kincaid was projected to Dallas.
This is a value pick, but tight end Dalton Schultzis also a free agent and might be gone. With the top receivers all off the board — I'd love to get another one opposite CeeDee Lamb — Dallas can look to Kincaid as another pass-catcher for quarterback Dak Prescott. We didn't see Kincaid work out at the combine, but he has enough speed to make plays down the seam and can go up and get 50-50 balls. He is coming off a 70-catch, 890-yard, eight-TD campaign with the Utes and has the versatility to move around the formation.
Kincaid would make plenty of sense for the Cowboys. Schultz struggled at times in 2022, according to DVOA provided by Football Outsiders.
The Cowboys tight end ranked 32nd in DVOA last season.
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Schultz had a catch rate that dipped to 64% last year, and his connection with Dak Prescott just didn't look quite as smooth on film. His price range will probably be too expensive for the Cowboys' liking, so moving on probably makes sense.
Kincaid would step in immediately. Daniel Jeremiah, a well-known draft analyst, believes that he is the best tight end in this class.
Getting him late in the first round may be the best move for the Cowboys.
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