Dallas Cowboys: Don’t sleep on Hanna or Swaim at tight end

The Dallas Cowboys and their fans seem to be extremely excited about the potential of second year tight end, Rico Gathers. But all would be wise to not overlook James Hanna or Geoff Swaim…

The Dallas Cowboys and their fans have lofty expectations for second-year tight end, Rico Gathers. Where the two may separate is exactly when they expect Rico to meet those expectations. Cowboys Nation is expecting him to be a difference maker as early as this year. The Cowboys organization may not be so optimistic.

That’s not to say the front office or coaching staff is disappointed with his progress, it’s more to say about the competition Gathers potentially faces when fighting for a roster spot. With Jason Witten firmly entrenched as the clear TE1, the real battle to watch is directly behind him. And that’s where James Hanna and Geoff Swaim may have the leg up.

James Hanna

Five years ago James Hanna blew scouts away at the NFL Combine running a 4.49 40, 6.75 three-cone, and 4.11 20-yard-shuttle. The Dallas Cowboys selected him in the sixth round of the 2012 draft hoping to make him the replacement to the always-flaky, Martellus Bennett.

While many thought Hanna would be utilized primarily for his speed and the downfield mismatches he was sure to create, it was blocking where Hanna made a name for himself. Over the years, Hanna has been the Cowboys strongest and most consistent blocker.

Used primarily in running situations, Hanna has only collected double-digit receptions once in his five year career. It’s that limited aerial production that cause many to overlook Hanna’s contribution to the offense. But it’s his ability to be so steady as a blocker that make him so valuable to the Dallas Cowboys offense.

Hanna is in year two of a three-year deal he signed before last year. He costs the Cowboys $3 million against the cap this season so if he can prove his knee still works, he’s a virtual lock to make the 53-man roster.

The problem is returning healthy is not a foregone conclusion. He had two knee surgeries last season and if he can’t bounce back in training camp, the 27-year-old’s career with the Cowboys may come to an end. Blocking tight ends are valuable but they are still replaceable parts and a younger, cheaper, and more complete option is waiting behind him on the depth chart…

Geoff Swaim

Like Hanna, Swaim endured multiple surgeries last season. Unlike Hanna, none are cause for long-term concern. Very quietly Geoff Swaim has been developing into a complete tight end. It’s not apparent in his stats but on the game film, he’s proven to be a very capable receiver.

As a blocker Swaim can do everything Hanna can do. He can block in-line, in motion, or out of the backfield as an H-back. Hanna may have the leg-up in those first two blocking assignments but Swaim looks like the more natural H-back.

Additionally, Swaim is more comfortable running routes and has what appears to be much larger catch radius should the pass be anything but perfect. At only 23-years-old Swaim is still developing as a player so it may not be long before he passes (a healthy) Hanna on the depth chart.

Rico Gathers

Drafted in the sixth round of the 2016 draft, Rico Gathers was meant to be project player from the start. The former Baylor basketball player was as raw as raw could be. Gathers, who hadn’t played competitive football since middle-school, was a physical specimen and a blank slate. He would have to be groomed and that would require patience.

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Last season the Cowboys showed their love and guaranteed his money, ensuring he’d stay on THEIR practice squad. That’s not going to work a second time so they know if he doesn’t make the 53-man roster, he’s likely to go elsewhere for opportunities.

We’ve all been though the measurables and SPARQ scores a million times. We know the kid is physically talented. What we don’t know is if he knows enough to make the right calls, follow the right blocking assignments, and find the right spots in the zone. Tight end is a complicated position in the NFL and Rico has made an enormous jump from middle school football to the Dallas Cowboys.

Who’s the odd man out?

If everyone makes it through training camp healthy, I firmly believe all four tight ends will make the team (Witten, Hanna, Swaim, and Gathers). But I’m not as optimistic about Hanna’s injury than the Cowboys seem to be publicly. Hanna is a great blocking TE and clearly a better option at TE2 than Gathers would be. It will all come down to health with him.

Geoff Swaim is such an underrated weapon I wouldn’t be shocked to see him pass Hanna on the depth chart even if Hanna was healthy. Swaim has better movement and after watching him in practice and go through drills the past two seasons, I believe the more natural route runner.

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The sky is the limit for Rico Gathers but I don’t see him being a TE2 or even a TE3 (if Hanna is healthy) this season. Gathers is going to make the team but he won’t be pushing Jason Witten for snaps anytime soon.

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