Nothing beats experience when it comes to development in the NFL. And that’s exactly what the young Dallas Cowboys‘ tight end group received last season after the abrupt retirement of future Hall of Famer Jason Witten last May.
Witten had been entrenched as the Cowboys’ longtime starter for much of his legendary 15-year career. And many talented tight ends, like Anthony Fasano and Martellus Bennett, wilted under his massive shadow. And that shade extended over the current crop of youngsters at the position as well.
Players like Blake Jarwin, Geoff Swaim, and Rico Gathers all struggled to gain experience while Witten dominated the snaps.