With a quiet offseason in terms of going all in like Jerry Jones told us about five months ago, the Cowboys are once again banking on draft picks and the current players on the roster for a different result in 2024.
That said, as I was looking through the roster, I remember doing some research on an undrafted free agent Dallas signed after the draft, thinking he may have a chance to make the roster.
The Cowboys signed Brevyn Spann-Ford to a guaranteed salary of $225,000 with a $20,000 signing bonus.
The $245,000 guaranteed money number is one of the highest around the NFL we’ve seen so far.
Why Him?
Spann-Ford is a tight end from the University of Minnesota.
So why did the Cowboys spend that much money on a position that already has Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker, and Peyton Hendershot?
Well, I don’t even think Hendershot is going to make the final 53-man roster, and Schoonmaker just got hurt again, shocker.
This will allow Spann-Ford to show what he’s got, giving him a chance to make the roster.
He is good at what he does. Take a look at the videos below, and you’ll see what I mean.
The best blocking tight end in the nation last season? #Gophers Brevyn Spann-Ford. pic.twitter.com/IABk1fYxYz
— Noel Thompson (@N0ELTHOMPSON) April 28, 2024
He only had 25 receptions for 239 yards and two touchdowns his last year in college, that is not his specialty.
He is 6-6, 260 pounds.
If Spann-Ford makes the roster, he can be used as a very good run blocker which is his strength. He plays with overwhelming strength for a tight end.
Spann-Ford is a viable TE3 with short-yardage and red-zone-blocking capabilities.
The #Cowboys made @GopherFootball TE Brevyn Spann-Ford among the highest-paid UDFAs with $245,000 in guarantees.
Best blocking TE in the draft with untapped potential as a pass catcher. Chance to impact Dallas' offense.@brevyn_ on @TheDraftNetwork!https://t.co/RBVo75OhyW
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) May 9, 2024
Cowboys Tight End Room
As I noted the Cowboys’ tight end room is crammed with a lot of players.
Ferg is the guy for the Dallas Cowboys, but with Schoonmaker now hurt again, and Hendershot not getting any better in two years. Why not keep maybe the best blocking tight end in college football a year ago in Spann-Ford?
Spending $245K on a UDFA is a lot of money if they cut him in two months.
Spann-Ford was asked before the draft who he compares his game to:
“I think my game is similar to Mark Andrews. Baltimore does a lot of run-game stuff that is similar to what we do at Minnesota,” he said. “Mark Andrews’ ability to impact the passing game while also being a great blocker in the run game, that’s my overall identity as a tight end.”
We will see how the next few months go, but again that is a lot of money if he doesn’t make the roster.
I would keep him for his blocking as the Cowboys are going to have a running back by committee.
My guess is that Rico Dowdle is going to be the lead back with a use of Zeke when needed. If Tony Pollard struggled to rush for over 1,000 yards, how do we think it is going to go this season.
#Cowboys gave #Gophers Brevyn Spann-Ford $225k in guaranteed money. Pretty clear they wanted him. Spann-Ford has all the tools to be a great tight end in the NFL. pic.twitter.com/cUx22A1LJp
— Noel Thompson (@N0ELTHOMPSON) April 28, 2024
Here we are talking about a undrafted tight end doing something because the Cowboys have yet to sign CeeDee Lamb to an extension.
Dallas is expecting Micah Parsons back next week sometime as he has yet to report to camp. He is working out on his own. But I would think with a new system under Mike Zimmer he should be there as much as possible.
He is the best player on the defense, but I will stop talking about that now.
Let’s see how the next few months go. With Schoonmaker hurt again, that tight end spot could be up for grabs. Dallas will need some blocking depth this season with a young offensive line. Spann-Ford could help them in spots this year.
