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Dallas Cowboys: Top-5 Free Agent Tight Ends to Target

By Reid Hanson

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 13: Tight end Austin Hooper #81 of the Atlanta Falcons makes a reception against outside linebacker Haason Reddick #43 of the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Falcons 34-33. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 13: Tight end Austin Hooper #81 of the Atlanta Falcons makes a reception against outside linebacker Haason Reddick #43 of the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Falcons 34-33. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – JANUARY 05: Eric Ebron #85 of the Indianapolis Colts catches a pass for a touchdown defended by Tyrann Mathieu #32 of the Houston Texans in the first quarter during the Wild Card Round at NRG Stadium on January 5, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Eric Ebron

Age: 26

PFF Rank: 17

Of all the tight ends listed, Eric Ebron has the best pedigree. The former No. 10 overall draft pick of Lions was a highly regarded prospect with elite pass catching potential. He was scouted as someone with elite speed, elite athleticism, great catch radius, and elite run after the catch.

Somehow, his potential didn’t manifest at the next level. Some blame his maturity, some his concentration, and some point to work ethic as the problem. Whatever is the cause, we’re now six years into the Eric Ebron experiment and he still hasn’t touched that All-Pro potential he was slated to be.

This isn’t to say he’s a bust either. In 2018 he broke out when given a chance to start for a different team. His first season with the Colts, he was targeted 110 times, catching 66 for 750 yards, and 13 touchdowns. It earned him his only Pro Bowl invite and reset the narrative on his career.

But last season he crashed back to earth. Without Andrew Luck, his targets dropped to 52 (lowest since his rookie season), yardage dropped to 375, and TD to just 3. Eric Ebron  will never be that well rounded TE that Witten was and appears to be more in the mold of Blake Jarwin (downfield playmaker). Ebron’s drop percentage is concerning since it increased from 8.2% to 9.6% last season.

If used correctly, Ebron could be a great weapon on a contending team, but if the Dallas Cowboys invest, they’ll need to also add a true run-blocking TE to make up for the deficiencies of Jarwin and Ebron.

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