Dallas Cowboys Camp: Depth Chart and Roster Spots
By Reid Hanson
Aug 13, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end
Gavin Escobar(89) is defended by San Diego Chargers safety
Jahleel Addae(37) and safety
Jimmy Wilson(27) in a preseason NFL football game at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Tight End (4)
Geoff Swaim
The Cowboys never go with more than three TEs on the final 53, but Geoff Swaim is standing out so much in training camp, they may need to keep four.
Speculation revolved around the Cowboys trading either Gavin Escobar or James Hanna at some point this preseason. A trade like this would allow the Cowboys to keep their traditional three TEs and not lose their shiny new toy, Geoff Swaim.
The Cowboys view Geoff Swaim as an H-Back – someone capable of lead-blocking like a fullback and line-blocking like a TE. In camp, Swaim is showing he’s a player capable of being a downfield pass-catching threat as well. The man once seen as only practice squad depth, now has a chance at a real roster spot.
Jason Witten is his usual impressive self – strong in the passing game and strong in the running game. James Hanna is injured but still the best run-blocking TE of the backups. Gavin Escobar had a good game in San Diego, running good routes and displaying strong hands.
Last season, Escobar and Hanna split 2nd team snaps, and ended the season with similar game time. Nothing has happened in camp to change that in 2015. Hanna, in the last year of his contract, is looking to cash in next offseason and he’s hungry to take a big step up in 2015. Escobar, 2 years away from free agency, remains mostly untapped potential.
The tight end position is particularly interesting because everyone behind Witten is playing for something substantial, and no one is comfortable with their current standing. TE is turning out to be one of the most underrated camp battles this summer.
Next: WR: Who Gets the Last Spot?