Will the Cowboys finally select their Witten successor in the draft?

Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Michael Mayer. Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Will the Cowboys finally select their Jason Witten successor in 2023 NFL Draft?

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 2/15/23

The Cowboys may finally find a Jason Witten successor in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Pro Football Focus' Michael Renner sees shades of the Cowboys all-time receiving leader in Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer.

"Mayer, like Witten, lacks the long speed to be a consistent downfield separator. Despite Witten's athletic limitations, he still had a six-year stretch where he averaged 92 receptions for 1,018 yards. It easy to see Mayer slotting into such a role," wrote Renner.

They also possess similar physical builds. Mayer is 6-foot-4 and 265 pounds, while Witten is 6-foot-6 and 263 pounds.

Mayer caught 180 passes for 2,099 yards in three seasons at Notre Dame and scored 18 TDs. He was also a 2022 consensus All-American.

TOUCHDOWN MAYER!#GoIrish pic.twitter.com/JxRfxk40ke
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) November 6, 2022

Therefore, comparisons to an 11-time Pro Bowler are reasonable since he's promising.

Dallas needs an elite TE. It's had zero Pro Bowl TEs since Witten retired, and Dalton Schultz is an impending free agent.

Additionally, drafting one adds depth to the receiving corps, benefiting Dak Prescott.

Outside of CeeDee Lamb, no Cowboy caught more than 60 receptions. Coincidentally, Prescott threw a career-high 15 interceptions in 12 starts compared to 10 interceptions in 16 starts last season, when three Cowboys crossed the 60-reception mark.

Dallas has the No. 26 pick within range to select Mayer, who the Cowboys can develop into a preeminent TE like Witten.

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