Cowboys Targeting 1st-Round TE? Luke Musgrave Fit as Dalton Schultz Replacement

With the potential loss of Dalton Schultz in free agency, the Cowboys go get his replacement in Round 1 of this mock.

When the Dallas Cowboys opted to apply the franchise tag to running back Tony Pollard, it paved the way for tight end Dalton Schultz to enter free agency and test the market, a process that begins today.

Losing Schultz would not be insignificant, as he was Dallas' second-leading receiver behind CeeDee Lamb with 577 receiving yards and five touchdowns on 57 receptions.

If they do lose Schultz, though, they may opt to select a tight end with their first-round pick - which CBS Sports believes will be the case in their latest mock draft. 

Rd. 1 No. 26 - Luke Musgrave - TE (Oregon State)

"Dalton Schultz has played out the franchise tag and is now scheduled to become a free agent next week. Mike McCarthy's comments about wanting a more explosive, high-scoring offense leads me to believe he probably wants to grind out games with his run game. Adding a tight end capable of serving as an extra blocker on the boundary while also impacting the pass game is an easy addition."

It's no secret now that tight end is on Dallas' radar at No. 26; it's more about which tight end the Cowboys might prefer.

Musgrave's stats might not jump off the page as overly impressive, recording only 633 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 47 receptions in four years, but the potential could make him intriguing to the Cowboys.

He's flashed an ability to make tough catches, which paired with a 4.61 40-yard dash makes him a weapon that could suit McCarthy's offense in Dallas and pair well with Dak Prescott and Lamb. 

Of course, the Cowboys could opt to turn to their two promising second-year tight ends in Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot - who combined for 277 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 30 receptions - as potential Schultz replacements.

If they do opt to draft a tight end in Round 1, though, Musgrave could make his way to Dallas and give Prescott another weapon other than Pollard and Lamb to work with. 

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You can find Connor Zimmerlee on Twitter @Connorjz98

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