Cowboys find Dalton Schultz's replacement in Dane Brugler's mock draft
The rumblings around this player being the Dallas Cowboys’ target in the 2023 NFL Draft have certainly grown.
In using the franchise tag on running back Tony Pollard, the Dallas Cowboys are likely bidding Dalton Schultz adieu. With two young and promising players at the position, Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot, the decision isn't the end of the world.
However, the Cowboys should still look at tight end as a very real team need. After all, neither of their two youngsters played in 40% of the offensive snaps last season. That means there's risk in moving forward by betting completely on them.
And don't underestimate the need for legit depth at the position: Mike McCarthy's offense is likely to put a lot of emphasis on the position as it did during his days with the Green Bay Packers.
NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler has a fix for the situation. In his latest mock draft for The Athletic, he has the Cowboys taking tight end Dalton Kincaid, out of Utah.
"The last time the Cowboys drafted a tight end in the first round (David LaFleur in 1997), Barry Switzer was still head coach," writes Brugler.
"But the current Cowboys are looking for playmakers on offense and Kincaid offers a unique profile. He could give Dak Prescott quick wins, like the aforementioned Schultz, while also providing more explosive potential with his seam and run-after-catch skills."
The 6-foot-4, 246-pound tight end was very productive with the Utes. He caught 70 catches for 890 yards as a senior and scored eight touchdowns in 12 games.
It should be noted that the Cowboys have been heavily linked to Kincaid since the NFL Scouting Combine. Todd McShay from ESPN is also mocking the Utah tight end to Dallas.
One has to wonder if there were loud whispers in Indianapolis about the Cowboys wanting to land Kincaid. The front office has publicly stated they're aiming to land a "playmaker" this offseason.
Naturally, many would assume that means a wide receiver. Perhaps even Odell Beckham Jr., with whom the team continues to flirt through the media.
But it might end up being a first-round tight end like Dalton Kincaid or maybe even Darnell Washington, who had a fantastic performance in the Combine.
