The Cowboys invited several undrafted rookies to their camp last week and have now signed one to the 90-man offseason roster. Tight end Austin Traylor out of Wisconsin will now join Geoff Swaim and Rico Gathers at the bottom of the depth chart.
To make room for Traylor, Dallas released long snapper prospect Brandon Hartson. Don’t be surprised if they add another one sometime soon so that L.P. Ladouceur isn’t taking every snap in practice.
Traylor has average size (6’4″, 250 lbs) for the position and less than ideal athleticism for the modern tight end. He’s strongest attribute is his blocking, which is typical for guys at the bottom of the TE depth chart.
Also helping Traylor is some position flexibility. He sometimes lined up at fullback for the Badgers and there is an opening for a backfield blocker in Dallas. Dallas has already been trying some experiments with linebacker Keith Smith and running back Rod Smith as fullbacks. Traylor could be competitive there.
Even if Traylor doesn’t eventually make the 53-man roster, Dallas often keeps one tight end on their practice squad. With Gavin Escobar expected to start the year on PUP and Gathers and Swaim likely making the roster, Traylor could easily be that guy.
