NFL Rumors: Dallas Cowboys Seeking Tight End, Possibly Signing Vernon Davis

Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett has been wanting to implement a dual tight end offensive scheme for years now. The big problem is that the team has yet to be able to find someone good enough to complement Jason Witten, one of the best tight ends in the history of the NFL. According to the Dallas Morning News, the Cowboys could sign a free agent tight end so that they can try to maximize the remaining years from Witten.

There’s not a lot of good options on the roster for the Dallas Cowboys when it comes to finding a sidekick for Jason Witten. Geoff Swaim didn’t see a ton of playing time after being taken in the seventh round of the NFL Draft. If he makes it on to the roster next season, then it will more than likely be as a third tight end who also puts in some work on special teams as opposed to lining up opposite Witten.

Gavis Escobar costs the Dallas Cowboys a second round draft choice. Usually, when NFL executives take you within the first three rounds, they’re hoping that you’re going to be on the field pretty often. Escobar has yet to prove to Jason Garrett and Cowboys offensive coordinator Scott Linehan that he can be the vertical threat that they need. There’s a very good chance that Dallas allows Escobar to walk away when his contract expires after this next season.

James Hanna is a solid player to have around, but he’s far from spectacular. He converted himself into a good run blocker and gives good effort on special teams. The former Oklahoma Sooners star is an unrestricted free agent right now. There’s a chance that the Dallas Cowboys give him a deal to stick around, but he’ll be utilized as the third tight end. There’s also a chance that another NFL team comes swooping in with a better offer and a larger role for Hanna.

Unless the Dallas Cowboys find someone in the upcoming NFL Draft, they more than likely are going to look into free agency to see if they can find that partner for Jason Witten. Since there are more pressing needs in other areas of the roster, the Cowboys are unlikely to spend big money on one of the top tight ends available. You can rule out guys like Ladarius Green, Antonio Gates, Zach Miller, Jermaine Gresham, Coby Fleener, Jared Cook and Ben Watson.

A more likely option would be someone like Vernon Davis. The former Pro Bowl tight end played with the Denver Broncos last season and won his first Super Bowl. Davis wasn’t a very big part of that victory, however. Broncos president John Elway seemed disinterested in bringing Davis back, and he stated that Vernon had trouble learning the offensive scheme. Since interest in him will not be very high, the Dallas Cowboys can possibly sign Davis on a very favorable deal.

Dwayne Allen is another potential signing for the Dallas Cowboys. There was a point in time where those within the Indianapolis Colts organization who believed that he was going to surpass Coby Fleener. However, injuries have kept Allen from being able to reach his full potential At just 26 years of age and possibly a low salary demand, Dwayne could be just what the Cowboys are looking for in a second tight end.

Jason Witten is one of the toughest players that has ever stepped on an NFL field. He’s going to be productive for the Dallas Cowboys once again this upcoming season. The hope is that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones can find him a partner.

[Featured Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images]