The NFL trade deadline is coming up fast (November 1) and we have already seen a few moves made around the NFL. Whether or not the Dallas Cowboys will be active before the trade line is unknown, but they do have a few players that could be tradable commodities.
Last week I examined who might be interested in trading for Darren McFadden, so this week I thought I would take a look at the Cowboys former 2nd second round draft pick Gavin Escobar, who might just be as desirable for some team around the NFL as McFadden.
Escobar has failed to record any statistics on offense so far in 2016, and for his career only has 26 receptions for 303 yards and seven touchdowns during his time in Dallas. To say that he has been a disappointment is an understatement.
What makes Escobar even more expendable is the fact that James Hanna can return to the Cowboys lineup as soon as they decide to add him to the active roster. When/if this happens it’s unlikely the Cowboys keep four tight ends, thus making Escobar tradable.
Now, I’m not going to sit here and say exactly what the Cowboys would ask in return for Escobar, but the New England Patriots just traded AJ Derby to the Denver Broncos for a fifth round draft pick in 2017.
Broncos traded a 2017 draft to New England for TE AJ Derby, per source. https://t.co/q4iAghsnQM
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 25, 2016
I would think a fifth round draft pick would be the starting point for a tight end as talented as Gavin Escobar, even though he hasn’t quite lived up to his potential yet.
Below are some of the teams that I think could be interested in a receiving tight end such as Gavin Escobar.
Green Bay Packers
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I mentioned the Green Bay Packers as a team that could be interested in trading for Darren McFadden, and I think they could find Gavin Escobar intriguing as well.
The Packers tried to add a receiving tight end during the off-season when they signed Jared Cook, but he has struggled with injuries so far leaving somewhat of a void at the TE position.
Now, I would be somewhat hesitant if I was the Dallas Cowboys to trade Escobar or McFadden for that matter to a team I could potentially see in the playoffs. Thus, this trade would look unlikely.
Oakland Raiders
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The Oakland Raiders look like a team that has a really good chance of making the playoffs, but haven’t really gotten any production out of the tight end position.
Mychal Rivera and Clive Walford have failed to make much of an impact in the passing game, so adding Gavin Escobar would give up and coming quarterback Derek Carr another receiving weapon.
This is an intriguing option to make a trade with because the Dallas Cowboys would be sending Escobar outside of the NFC.
Detroit Lions
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The Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions have been trade partners in the past (Roy Williams). Unfortunately, the Lions got the better part of that deal, maybe this time the Cowboys will come out on top.
Eric Ebron was drafted by Detroit in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft to be that receiving type tight end for the offense, but has yet to live up to those expectations. This year in particular he has struggled with injuries, thus making Escobar an intriguing option.
Again, the Dallas Cowboys might be reluctant to trade to a team they have to face later in the year and possibly in the playoffs. It would all depend on the compensation Detroit is offering in return.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be interested in adding a receiving type tight end for not only the rest of the season, but for the future.
They thought they had that in Austin Seferian-Jenkins, but he ended up being released by the Buccaneers after he was cited for a DUI back in September.
Jameis Winston is still a young quarterback and could definitely use more weapons on the offensive side of the ball. What better way to help him out then to add a talented receiving tight end like Gavin Escobar?
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These are just a few teams that I think could possibly be interested in trading for Gavin Escobar, but as you can see, there shouldn’t be any shortage of potential suitors.
Do you think Gavin Escobar gets traded?
Let me hear what you think in the comment section below.
Only if you can get more than the compensatory picks you’d get for them in FA, but I think they have a plan for him, maybe getting him back in game shape, but a Achilles injury is more mental, his body is healed. Besides Swaim has made it a no rush situation for HannaEscobar.
Probably just another cog in the system, later down the road. 23 catches-7TDs in 3 yrs as the 3rd TE isn’t bad. If they use him more come end season his value goes way up in FA as does the comp pick, he’s proven to be a RZ threat and makes some nice catches. This week vs Eagles he can make some hay against the weak LBDBs, they’ll be hard pressed to cover everybody all day.
Fosano,Bennett,Phillips and a few other Witten back-ups are in the league and still playing so not a knock on them for trying to get looks behind a HOF player that has been available and productive for a decade.
Amazing when we have depth, most want to trade it away for something to be determined next year.
Dunbar could end up on IR any minute, Hanna has been MIA with no info since camp, Leary was expendable 4wks ago, I guess that’s why they get all the free hats and Gatorade they want.
Eric, I think at best Escobar is probably worth a sixth round compensatory pick. I don’t think the Cowboys would receive anything higher than that. Also, Escobar is in game shape and has been full go since training camp. The coaching staff just doesn’t have a defined role for him on offense. I think if the New England Patriots could get a fifth-round pick for AJ Darby, the Cowboys could possibly get as high as a third rounder.