Cowboys: Ranking Moves In Free Agency So Far

Cowboys Re-Sign Tight End James Hanna

Three years, $8.25 million

It’s about time that a Cowboys tight end not named Jason Witten panned out for this franchise. Despite the presence of Witten, a likely future Hall of Fame talent, Dallas has tried for years to have two functioning tight ends within the same offense.

Since 2006, second-round draft selections like Anthony Fasano (’06), Martellus Bennett (’08) and Gavin Escobar (’13) have meant next to nothing for the Cowboys.

Escobar, the most recent second-round setback for the Cowboys at tight end, was actually preceded by 2012 sixth-round pick James Hanna out of Oklahoma.

The Cowboys re-upping their commitment to Hanna is by no means a splash move, but it does maintain continuity at a very important position in the Dallas offense. With no touchdowns during his career to this point, it’s Hanna’s blocking ability that accounts for the lion’s share of this new contract.

The Escobar selection was every bit as bad as the Claiborne selection the year before, especially given the premium nature of the pick. In the tight end’s case, this was nothing more than a backup. You don’t draft depth in the second round of the NFL draft.

It’s always better to find your depth – and possibly your future – in later rounds, such as the sixth round. That’s where Hanna was chosen and considering Escobar’s torn Achilles suffered late last season, the former Sooners tight end became much more valuable than anybody thought.

Finding complete tight ends isn’t the easiest thing to do. Hanna fits the bill quite nicely and he could actually be around once Witten finally decides to call it a career, although Cowboys Nation certainly hopes that this comes later than sooner.

Next: Cowboys Keep Difference-Maker At Linebacker