Dallas Cowboys: 5 Free agent tight end targets who could start in 2019
By Randy Gurzi
2. Jesse James
Another player who should draw the Cowboys attention as a free agent this spring is Jesse James, who spent the past four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. After playing for Penn State, James was selected in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Steelers but didn’t start coming into his own until the following year.
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After sitting behind Heath Miller as a rookie, James was paired with Ladarius Green but then thrust into the starting role when Green was injured. James responded by catching 39 passes for 338 yards and three touchdowns. He had similar production in 2017 before being relegated to the No. 2 spot in 2018 as Vance McDonald broke out for Pittsburgh.
James still proved to be an asset for the Steelers as he had career-highs in yardage (423) and yards per catch (14.1) despite recording just 30 receptions. With McDonald entrenched as the starter, there’s a good chance James could be on the move and the 6-foot-7, 261-pounder could be on the move.
Dallas and James are a good fit considering his ability not only as a receiver but as a blocker as well — which is important in the Big D offense. James is also just 24-years of age, meaning he could prove to be a long-term option for them rather than a one-year rental.