Dallas Cowboys: Why Blake Jarwin may be perfect for TE1 in 2020

Mike McCarthy is expected to shape the Dallas Cowboys to fit his scheme and TE Blake Jarwin could play a big role in that if he can become the next Jermichael Finley

Usually when a head coach is installed, he’s tasked with a massive rebuild. But the 2020 Dallas Cowboys are anything but usual. Mike McCarthy has been brought in to take them over the top. Immediately. He won’t be able to methodically rebuild the roster with personnel of his choosing because time won’t allow it. He needs to make a handful of current players fit his system’s roles now. One of those important roles is tight end.

When McCarthy’s offense was operating at its peak, the tight end played a fairly significant role. McCarthy’s best offensive season (2011, when the team went 15-1) saw the TE receive 92 targets for 767 yards and 8 touchdowns. Finding a player capable of filling that role is important for the Dallas Cowboys to reach peak efficiency this season. Lucky for us, they may have that player already on the roster…

Jermichael Finley, arguably the most successful TE in the McCarthy era, was the principle tight end during the 2011 season. His career (2008-2013) encompassed the offense’s best years and it’s no coincidence the offense declined when his career ended.

In the Packers’ 2010 Super Bowl season, Finley averaged a staggering 14.3 yards per reception and 60.2 yards per game. In 2011 he had career bests 767 yards, 45 first downs, and 8 TDs.

It wasn’t all positives with Finley, though. He dropped far too many balls. And he routinely received negative scores as a run blocker . He typically lined up away from the line, in the slot, rather than in-line, like Dallas TE1’s usually play. Finley played more of a Blake Jarwin role.

Jarwin also spends a lot of time out in space rather than in-line. And Jarwin also gets dinged for his poor run-blocking. Like Finley, Jarwin is a pass-catcher first and foremost. He’s a tackle breaking, down the field running, big play threat. His long reach and great hands give him an elite catch radius. He’s both a reliable possession receiver as well as a big play machine.

Blake Jarwin’s third TD of the day and third TD of his career.

Dak Prescott now 18 of 28 passing for 218 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs, 123.8 passer rating (video: @dallascowboys) https://t.co/WDwgROfYrE
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) December 30, 2018

Simply put – Blake Jarwin could be this offense’s Jermichael Finley.