The latest Dallas Cowboys rumors indicate that the team could be giving close consideration to tight ends in next week's NFL Draft. That's because a new report has emerged in regard to longtime tight end James Hanna. Based on the latest news concerning his knee injury, as well as Dez Bryant's departure, it could mean the Cowboys have to evaluate their options on the roster at the position.
James Hanna's status
A tweet from ESPN's Todd Archer indicated on Friday that James Hanna has been placed on the Dallas Cowboys' reserve/retired list. The reason behind the move is due to a knee condition he has been dealing with for the past two seasons.
Due to the fact that the knee doesn't appear to be showing improvement, the team didn't include Hanna in their offseason program either.
James Hanna entered the league in 2012 and has remained on the Dallas roster throughout that time. He contributed in every game in each season except 2015 and was sidelined entirely during the 2016 season. He's racked up 374 yards and a touchdown on 55 targets throughout his career.
The numbers aren't exactly staggering and as the Dallas Cowboys look to try to contend again, they will be looking at different options. So far, this move by the team seems to point toward the potential end of Hanna's career, but nothing has been officially announced by Hanna himself.
Cowboys' roster & NFL Draft
Since Hanna appears to be nearing the end of his career, at least with Dallas, the team now has four options at the tight end spot. Veteran Jason Witten is the first name to appear, but he's also nearing what may be the tail end of his career. There's also promising talent Rico Gathers, along with Geoff Swaim, and Blake Jarwin.
The Dallas Cowboys probably want to give stronger consideration to tight end options in the upcoming 2018 NFL Draft. The Cowboys' first pick in the selection order comes at the No. 19 spot, where Walter Football speculates they may go with linebacker Leighton Vander Esch from Boise State.
The website also suggests that the Cowboys may opt to draft wide receiver Anthony Miller with their No.
50 pick due to them recently cutting Dez Bryant from the roster. Currently, the top tight end prospects include South Carolina's Hayden Hurst, Oklahoma's Mark Andrews, South Dakota State's Dallas Goedert, and Penn State's Mike Gesicki.
Fans will find out which players the Dallas Cowboys decide to add to address their needs at next week's 2018 NFL Draft in Texas.