Dallas Cowboys iconic tight end Jason Witten is planning to retire after 15 years in the NFL.
According to Chris Mortensen, the 35-year-old NFL veteran will join ESPN’s Monday Night Football broadcast team.
Mortenson and ESPN report Witten will still meet with Jerry Jones on Friday to get his blessing before making his decision final.
Witten, an 11-time Pro Bowl selection, would leave the Cowboys as the franchise leader in pass receptions (1,152), receiving yards (12,488), games played (239) and ranks third in receiving touchdowns (68).
The Dallas Cowboys drafted Witten out of the University of Tennessee in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft (69th pick overall).
Witten would be the third Dallas Cowboy to be on a current leading network NFL broadcast team (Troy Aikman – Fox, Tony Romo – CBS).
With the first overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns have selected Baker Mayfield.
Mayfield won the Heisman Trophy in 2017 while playing quarterback for the Oklahoma Sooners.
The fiery quarterback spent a year playing on the field with Texas Tech before transferring to Oklahoma. He accumulated more than 12,000 yards passing and 130 touchdowns.
The Browns were 0-16 last season.
Mayfield was 33-6 as a three-year starter for the Sooners. He is the fifth quarterback taken in the first round by the Browns in their expansion era – and first since Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel.
Cleveland took A&M’s Myles Garrett in the top spot in the previous draft.
All eyes are on the Cowboys this NFL Draft with Jerry hosting in his Arlington stadium.
Seems as though from about the first or second week in January, everybody has been asking who are the Cowboys going take with their 19th pick in the first round. That should be answered around 9 p.m. when the Cowboys go on the clock at AT&T Stadium.
At this point, it’s possible the answer is going to be pointing toward a defensive tackle. If Vita Vea is there, the defensive tackle from Washington, there is a good chance they will take him.
Alabama’s Da’Ron Payne is also an alternative. Dallas would likely not pass up a good defensive end.
Jerry and his team might also look at Boston College’s Harold Landry. He’s also a possibility if it’s a DE pick.
The Cowboys go into the draft with a roster including five linebackers. They need a linebacker or two to give them more depth. Leighton Vander Esch of Boise State is certainly one of the guys they are looking to take. There’s always a chance somebody jumps them to try and take him before they have an opportunity to draft.
Most analysts think the Cowboys are going take a wide receiver. However, they could trade down to try to get one of those in the second or third round.
The Dallas Cowboys have said a lot this week in advance of Thursday night’s start to the NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium, but they have revealed little.
However, many think the Cowboys could take a wide receiver early.
“Right now, we don’t have what we would call a pure X-receiver to take the place of Dez,” Owner Jerry Jones said in a recent press conference.
Then when it comes to the linebackers, odds are Dallas will take a long look at them.
“Then we also know that we could a couple of players here in the draft. We have 10 draft picks. Certainly look to do something there if the right guy is sitting there,” CEO Stephen Jones said.
Oh, and let’s not forget defensive tackles.
“I do think the key words pressure. And it’s more than just stop the run, that he can get pressure on the quarterback, then you would consider a guy,” Stephen Jones said.
The big question is Jerry look to make a big splash in his own stadium.
“That would not in any way impune the integrity of our decision making in the draft room by throwing a helicopter in the middle of it,” Jerry Jones said with his trademark smile.
One thing is for sure, we start getting answers Thursday night.
Brad Sham and Mickey Spagnola join Wes Moore to breakdown the prospects of Dallas Cowboys 2018 NFL Draft.
The Cowboys will have 10 picks in this year’s draft.
Silver Star Draft Preview – Part 2
Silver Star Draft Preview – Part 3
Silver Star Draft Preview – Part 4
The Dallas Cowboys can never acquire enough pass rushers, that’s where USC’s Uchenna Nwosu comes in.
Nwosu is extremely athletic and shows great ability in pressuring and covering the pocket.
His speed for his size allows him to beat blockers and create turnovers.
When unblocked, Nwosu can close ground and wrap up when in position.
At USC, Nwosu recorded 169 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks.
STATS
Position: Linebacker
School: USC
Year: Senior
Height: 6’2
Weight: 245 pounds
The Dallas Cowboys are always in need of talented corners.
Usher in the University of Texas’ Holton Hill.
While Jerry Jones may not go for a CB in the first two rounds, if Hill falls to Round 3, “America’s Team” should scoop him up.
Hill is physical and great at contesting the ball. He performs best when played up tight.
As a Longhorn, Hill made 122 tackles and picked off three passes, all of which he returned for touchdowns.
STATS
Position: Defensive Back
School: Texas
Year: Junior
Height: 6’2
Weight: 200 pounds
While he may not be able to break from the defense as well as Ezekiel Elliott, Tennessee’s John Kelly definitely has a similar style to the star running back, which would work well in the Dallas Cowboys offense.
Although he’s on the shorter side, his explosiveness makes up for it.
His patience is key as he allows blocks to develop and works off of them.
Kelly would make for a nice backup when “Zeke” is in need of rest.
While playing for the Vols, Kelly recorded 1,573 rushing yards, averaging 4.8 yards per carry, to go along with 16 touchdowns.
STATS
Position: Running Back
School: Tennessee
Year: Junior
Height: 5’9
Weight: 205 pounds
If Virginia Tech’s, Tremaine Edmunds falls to the No. 19 pick, he would fit very well in the 4-3 scheme the Dallas Cowboys run.
Edmunds’ superior pass-rushing ability and limited mistakes, makes him a solid choice for the Dallas roster.
His size and power serve as intimidation factors, as he’s able to stop the runner dead in their tracks.
Edmunds’ versatility allows him to play all three LB positions.
As a Hokie, Edmunds racked up 213 tackles, 10 sacks and one pick.
STATS
Position: Linebacker
School: Virginia Tech
Year: Junior
Height: 6’4
Weight: 250 pounds