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NFL 2018: Every team’s biggest training camp battle

By Randy Gurzi

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: Sam Darnold of USC poses after being picked #3 overall by the New York Jets during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: Sam Darnold of USC poses after being picked #3 overall by the New York Jets during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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Blake Jarwin Dallas Cowboys
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Dallas Cowboys: Tight End

Another team that has a couple big spots of concern is the Dallas Cowboys. There’s a question about who will play free safety after they decided not to pay the asking price for Earl Thomas from the Seattle Seahawks. There’s also a lot of concern about the wide receiver position with them cutting Dez Bryant and using more of a committee approach.

Neither one of those positions is as wide open as the tight end spot. After Jason Witten left for the broadcast booth, Dallas was caught unprepared. They foolishly ignored the steps Witten had lost and never had a succession plan in place. That’s left them with their pants down as they have an incredibly inexperienced collection of players fighting for a job.

light. Related Story. Predicting Cowboys statistical leaders in 2018

And that job could go to any of them. Geoff Swaim currently has the most experience, but is primarily a blocker. He can do that role no problem, but won’t offer a ton in the passing game. Behind him is Rico Gathers, who has shown flashes in the passing game but can’t seem to stay on the field —‚oh and he hadn’t played football since middle school when Dallas drafted him in 2016.

Rookie Dalton Schultz is also in the mix, but being a fourth-round pick at tight end means he has a lot to learn. Then there’s the guy who is suddenly becoming the favorite in Blake Jarwin.

Like all the other mentioned, Jarwin has limited experience with all of three career snaps. Still, he’s lauded by coaches and was promoted to the active roster last season to keep him from being poached off the practice squad. There could be something there, but we won’t know for sure until this wide open battle is done.

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