Gavin Escobar News

A lot of folks were surprised when the Dallas Cowboys selected San Diego State tight end Gavin Escobar in the second round of last month's draft, not because Escobar isn't a solid pick but because the team had just drafted a tight end last year in the University of Oklahoma's James Hanna .

IRVING, Texas - The players may have lacked pads, but they didn't lack intensity at the Dallas Cowboys rookie mini-camp over the weekend in Irving, Texas.

Gavin Escobar, one of the best receiving tight ends in college football the past two seasons, joins Jason Witten and James Hanna in the tight ends room.

But head coach Jason Garrett promises Escobar will see the field early and often as a rookie, so you better learn a bit about him.

Witten agrees Cowboys needed to draft a tight end, and it didn't hurt his feelings: 'There's no ego there for me' Not that they asked, but Jason Witten agreed - the Cowboys did need to draft a tight end if they're going to make good on their commitment to a two-tight-end passing offense.

Jonathan Bales is a special contributor to SportsDayDFW.com. He's the founder of The DC Times and writes for DallasCowboys.com and the New York Times .

THE CAREER OF NEW COWBOYS DRAFT PICK GAVIN ESCOBAR: Gavin Escobar #88 of the San Diego State Aztecs runs with the ball in the first half of the game against the BYU Cougars in the Poinsettia Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium on December 20, 2012 in San Diego, California.

DECEMBER 20: Gavin Escobar #88 of the San Diego State Aztecs runs with the ball in the first half of the game against the BYU Cougars in the Poinsettia Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium on December 20, 2012 in San Diego, California.

Travis Frederick, OC, Wisconsin; 2 - Gavin Escobar, TE, San Diego State; 3 - Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor; 3 J.J. Wilcox, FS, Georgia Southern; 4 - B.W. Webb, CB, William & Mary; 5 - Joseph Randle, RB, Oklahoma State; 6 - DeVonte Holloman, OLB, South Carolina Top Picks Analysis: Frederick is a nice player but the Cowboys were clearly honing in on ... (more)

When Jerry Jones selected TE Gavin Escobar out of San Diego State, he warned reporters that he wasn't done at that position.

NOVEMBER 19: Terrance Williams #2 of the Baylor Bears scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter during a game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Floyd Casey Stadium on November 19, 2011 in Waco, Texas.

In the second round, the Cowboys selected a player that owner Jerry Jones said will force their offense to be "different" in 2013.

Williams was picked by the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round with the 105th overall pick.

With three rounds in the books, the Cowboys have added four players to their roster who we must imagine the Cowboys hope to utilize quite often in the upcoming season.

The Cowboys selected San Diego State tight end Gavin Escobar in the second round and demanded the coaching staff get him involved .

Gavin Escobar, a two-time first-team all-Mountain West Conference selection and a two-time honorable mention All-American, and Leon McFadden, a three-time first-team all-Mountain West Conference performer and the school's all-time leader in passes broken up were chosen in the 2013 National Football League Draft on Friday evening in New York City.

Jerry Jones mentioned the words "offensive oriented" when discussing this year's draft Thursday night.

The Dallas Cowboys could have added another nice piece to their offensive line in the second round of the NFL draft, as tackle Terron Armstead and guard Larry Warford were still on the board.

THE CAREER OF NEW COWBOYS DRAFT PICK GAVIN ESCOBAR: Gavin Escobar #88 of the San Diego State Aztecs runs with the ball in the first half of the game against the BYU Cougars in the Poinsettia Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium on December 20, 2012 in San Diego, California.

With the first round of the NFL draft completed, it's time to look ahead and see what else each NFC South team needs to accomplish.