2019 NFL Draft: Dallas Cowboys 7-round mock

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 12: Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones greets his players prior to a NFL playoff football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, January 12, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – AUGUST 31: Darwin Thompson #5 of the Utah State Aggies celebrate his fourth quarter touchdown with Dax Raymond #87 and Quin Ficklin #51 while playing the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on August 31, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 38-31. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Round 3: Dax Raymond, TE, Utah State

Unless you watch a ton of Mountain West football on a regular basis, Dax Raymond might not be a name you’re familiar with. Make no mistake about it, the Utah State tight end has a chance to become a really solid NFL player.

He’s not going to be confused with Jason Witten as a run blocker. Raymond doesn’t show a ton of physicality in the run game on field. Instead, he’s more of a classic H-back type prospect. What Raymond does show on film is the ability to run intermediate routes down the field to bother opposing secondaries.

That’s what the Cowboys really need to add at the tight end position. They wanted Rico Gathers to develop into that sort of weapon, but it’s pretty clear that isn’t going to happen at this point in his career. It might take Raymond a year or two to develop into a consistent starter, but the Cowboys can afford to be somewhat patient.

It’s possible the team could look to add a more advanced tight end prospect earlier in the draft, but it’s not as pressing a need as the Cowboys have at defensive tackle. Raymond isn’t the finished article yet, but he’s got the athleticism to blossom into a quality starter if Dallas can coach him up.

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