Dallas Cowboys: 15 Best players all-time

Dallas Cowboys: 15 Best players in team history

By Randy Gurzi | Jun 4, 2019

Troy Aikman #8, Quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys hands off to running back Emmitt Smith #22 during the National Football Conference West game against the San Francisco 49ers on 13 November 1994 at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California, United States. The 49ers won the game 21 - 14. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Allsport/Getty Images) /

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 10: Jason Witten #82 of the Dallas Cowboys catches a 20 yard pass to score a touchdown against the New York Giants in the fourth quarter during the game at MetLife Stadium on December 10, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

123. . Tight End. (2003-2017,2019). Jason Witten. 9. player

Back in 2003, the Cowboys were considering drafting Tennessee tight end Jason Witten with the 38th overall pick. They decided against that as head coach Bill Parcells ended up going after Wisconsin center Al Johnson instead. As fate would have it, the young tight end remained on the board and was taken at No. 69 overall in the third round by Dallas.

Early on in his career, Witten showed off the toughness that would turn him into a fan favorite. He had to have surgery after breaking his jaw and missed just one week of action. Over the course of the next 15 years, that was the only game he missed for the Cowboys.

More. Cowboys 5 Potential first-time Pro Bowlers. light

A fixture in their offense, Witten is No. 1 in team history for receiving yards (12,448), total receptions (1,152), and third in receiving touchdowns with 68. An 11-time Pro Bowl selection, Witten decided to call it quits ahead of the 2018 NFL Season as he took a job with ESPN as the Monday Night Football broadcaster.

He was shaky, at best, in that position which may have played into his decision to return for another season in 2019. At 37 years of age, it’s hard to expect Witten to play up to the standard we think of when his name is mentioned, but he can still provide a strong veteran leader with the surest of hands this team has ever seen at the position. He could also end up passing Dez Bryant for all-time touchdown passes, as he enters the year needing just five to tie him.

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