While there may not be a definitive answer on whether or not the Dallas Cowboys are going to bring back veteran TE Jason Witten, it appears they are serious about investing in his understudy from 2019. Blake Jarwin was supposed to be the key figure in the club’s rotation at the position when Witten came out of retirement, but the Jason Garrett-favorite bullied his way into a much higher snap count than anticipated.
On a play-by-play basis, though, Jarwin was a much bigger offensive threat in 2019, averaging almost 3.5 yards per reception more than the future Hall of Famer. With a new coaching regime in house, Jarwin supporters hope he will get a chance to shine more as a passing-game weapon and it appears the front office will work towards that goal. The most important of the team’s three restricted free agents (RFA), ESPN’s Todd Archer is reporting Jarwin will be given a second-round tender.
The Cowboys are likely to use the second-round tender on restricted free agent tight end Blake Jarwin, which should cost around $3.3 million, according to sources. The Cowboys spoke with Jarwin’s agent, Kelli Masters, last week at the combine about a… https://t.co/fuNVrW6RvN
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) March 2, 2020
DT Daniel Ross and QB Cooper Rush, who Archer indicates the club will original-round tender, are the others.
As Archer reports, the $3.3 million is the tender amount Jarwin will be paid if no other team signs him to an offer sheet. RFAs can negotiate deals with any of the other 31 clubs. If they come to an agreement, the original club has the right of first refusal. Based on which of the three tender amounts (original round, second round and first round), the original team will be awarded the signing team’s pick for that round in the upcoming draft if they refuse to match the offer.
As an undrafted free agent, the Cowboys would receive no compensation if they placed the cheaper ($2.1million), original round tender on Jarwin. The first-round tender would pay Jarwin almost $4.7 million in 2020, a high sum for a player who established career highs of 31 receptions and 365 yards in 2019.
Therefore the only real choice was the second-round tender.
Jarwin is a better receiver than blocker, but was often cast in the latter role due to Witten’s presence in 2019. Under Mike McCarthy, it remains to be seen how big of a priority the tight end position will be moving forward. During his decade-plus stint in Green Bay, there were several iterations where the position was important, but over the last five-to-six campaigns it was less so.
Dallas could still look to sign another free agent, or draft a player at the position to augment Jarwin and potentially look towards the future, though Archer reports the club did start working on a potential long-term deal with Jarwin during last week’s combine. The club also has Dalton Schultz, a fourth-round pick from 2018 at the position.
[vertical-gallery id=640098][vertical-gallery id=639104][lawrence-newsletter]