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FRISCO, Texas -- In the speculative world of the NFL draft, narrative has a way of trumping reality. Speaking at the conclusion of the draft’s first round on Thursday night, Cowboys officials were happy to set the record straight.
For months, the talk has been that the Cowboys needed to draft a wide receiver. Even before the team released Dez Bryant in April, there was speculation that his heir apparent was on the way to Dallas with the No. 19 overall pick. When Bryant was finally released, that speculation reached a fever pitch.
To hear it from Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones, though, the need isn’t as drastic as many might believe.
“We really like what’s there at receiver and didn’t feel the urgency, based on what we did in free agency, to really have to go out and reach and stretch for a receiver,” he said.
That’s a pretty sensible statement. The Cowboys didn’t break the bank to address the receiver position this spring, but they also weren’t idle. In the weeks before Bryant’s departure, they added veteran wide out Allen Hurns on a team-friendly deal.
Before that, they signed veteran speedster Deonte Thompson to a one-year contract that effectively offset the loss of Brice Butler.
“We’re really pleased with what we did in free agency, with Hurns and Deonte and adding that,” Jones said. “We’re already plus one – if you think about us losing a receiver, we added two.”
None of this is to say the Cowboys aren’t eying a new receiver. The front office brought Calvin Ridley and D.J. Moore to their facility, as they weighed the possibility of drafting them in the first round. The Cowboys have also been linked to a dozen other receivers – from SMU’s Courtland Sutton to LSU’s D.J. Chark to Oklahoma State’s James Washington, among others.
Jones said Thursday that the Cowboys see value at receiver in all seven rounds of this year’s draft. So even if they bypassed the position at pick No. 19, there are nine more picks to make.
“Obviously, the receivers that are in the first part of the draft – the first, second and third round – are going to be a little more seasoned and not as developmental,” Jones said. “But we really like a handful of those guys, so I still think there’s an opportunity to bring some competition in here.” Read
One of the Cowboys' all-time greats appears set to call it a career.
Tight end Jason Witten is expected to retire after a 15-year playing career and join ESPN's Monday Night Football broadcast booth as an analyst, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported.
ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported the news first.
"[Witten] has some things to think about and discuss with his family from a professional perspective," said team owner Jerry Jones, who added that he spoke with Witten several times this week. "He also told me that those things are going to require a few more days of consideration, at least through the weekend. He's not made any decisions that are definite at this time, we have no announcement today, as it pertains to Jason's future other than to say that he's a wonderful, valued member of our organization and our family. With respect to Jason and his wishes, this is all we're going to say regarding that subject for the remainder of the weekend."
Witten, 35, would end a prolific career having appeared in 239 games with 229 starts, totaling 1,152 catches for 12,448 yards and 68 touchdowns.
The 11-time Pro Bowler holds numerous NFL records, including most receptions in a single season by a tight end (110 in 2012) and most receptions in a single game by a tight end (18 in 2012).
Witten's 1,152 career receptions rank fourth behind Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice (1,549), tight end Tony Gonzalez (1,325) and Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (1,234). He is second behind Gonzalez in career receiving yards and Pro Bowl appearances by a tight end.
Additionally, Witten established team franchise records, including most career receptions, most career receiving yards and most consecutive seasons with a reception, among others. Witten's 68 career receiving touchdowns ranks third in Cowboys history and fifth all-time among tight ends in NFL history.
Witten, a two-time first-team All-Pro selection (2007, 2010), joined the Cowboys as a third-round pick out of Tennessee in the 2003 NFL Draft.
Witten's departure leaves a void in Dallas' passing game. The Cowboys released wide receiver Dez Bryant leading up to the draft, and the duo combined for 1,398 yards and 11 touchdowns on 132 catches in 2017.
With Witten's impending retirement, and the recent release of Bryant, the Cowboys have seen three cornerstone pieces of the franchise leave since the end of the 2016 season. Quarterback Tony Romo, the team's all-time leader in yards passing (34,183) and passing touchdowns (248) retired in April 2017.
In the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the Cowboys used the 19th overall selection on linebacker Leighton Vander Esch. The Cowboys, however, could look to bolster the tight end and wide receiver positions over the next two days when considering Dallas is armed with nine remaining draft picks.
Dallas' current group of tight ends on the roster includes Rico Gathers, Blake Jarwin and Geoff Swaim. Of the trio, Swaim has nine career receptions, while Jarwin and Gathers have yet to haul in a catch.
As the Cowboys prepare for Day Two of the draft, options at the tight end position could include top draft prospects Dallas Goedert, Mark Andrews and Mike Gesicki.
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How Cowboys experts graded the Leighton Vander Esch pick Share This Story On... Twitter
Jae S. Lee/Staff Photographer Commissioner Roger Goodell, left, talks with Leighton Vander Esch, who is selected by the Dallas Cowboys during the first round of the NFL draft at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, April 26, 2018. (Jae S. Lee/The Dallas Morning News)
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With the Dallas Cowboys' first NFL draft pick in, it's time analyze how smart the selection was. Here's a look at how our Cowboys insiders grade the Leighton Vander Esch selection. Tim Cowlishaw: C There was no real secret that the Cowboys liked Florida State FS Derwin James, ranked by some as the top player in the draft. They thought they couldn't get close to him but he slid all the way to 17 -- two spots ahead of Dallas -- before being taken by Chargers. It's up to Vander Esch to prove they got a linebacker who will have the same impact over time as James.
Why Cowboys didn't trade up or make a big splash in Round 1
Brandon George: C-minus The Cowboys believe Leighton Vander Esch has unique size (6-4, 250) and coverage ability. He's a Sean Lee starter kit because he can play sideline to sideline but doesn't finish tackles as strong. Will McClay believes he'll come in and create turnovers right away. But he was only a one-year starter at Boise State, a former walk-on after playing 8-man football in high school. The Cowboys have to hope he's not another Bobby Carpenter-like bust. The Cowboys took him with Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans still available and also without any receivers having gone off the board.
Jon Machota: B-minus It's a solid pick that fills a need. I don't see Leighton Vander Esch making the same impact as Derwin James, though. Once the Florida State safety made it past 14, I thought it was worth it to trade up. I'm not sure Vander Esch has Pro Bowl potential. I feel strongly that James does.
David Moore: B-minus You can question the Cowboys' decision not to pursue safety Derwin James as he unexpectedly drifted in their direction, but not their resolve. This club is sold on Leighton Vander Esch's potential and didn't waver. He may not start immediately but should see plenty of playing time. Kevin Sherrington: B It feels a little like a make-up call for Jaylon Smith. Also replacing a guy they got in the fourth round. And if they hadn't beaten Philly in the finale, they could have had Derwin James. Having said all that, he certainly answers a need. All that not enough draft grades for you? Here's a look at some more from around the nation.
