In the NFL, roster battles and fights for roles in the starting lineup aren't defined in May or June. Although voluntary workouts kick off in OTAs and mandatory minicamp follows shortly thereafter, the lack of live contact leaves a lot of things to be answered until late July when the pads come on in training camp.
But a specific Dallas Cowboys rookie could be in a unique position to hit the ground running in OTAs and immediately put himself in a better position to make the 53-man roster in September.
I'm talking about tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford.
The thing about the former Minnesota Gopher is that he has little to prove in the blocking department as a tight end. That, and his NFL size, is what led to him becoming one of the top-paid undrafted free agents in 2024.
He was legitimately one of the finest blocking tight ends in the nation and could immediately earn a role on gamedays thanks to it.
The best blocking tight end in the nation last season? #Gophers Brevyn Spann-Ford. pic.twitter.com/IABk1fYxYz
— Noel Thompson (@N0ELTHOMPSON) April 28, 2024
This leads me to the one thing that Spann-Ford really is in a hurry to prove to the Cowboys coaching staff and something he should be able to do despite the lack of contact: Can he catch the ball?
Spann-Ford's drop rate in 2023 was a ridiculous 26.5%, the highest-ever recorded by PFF. It's worth noting in his previous two seasons, his hands were not an issue so the Cowboys have to figure out if it was a terrible example of a slump or if it'll keep the rookie from ever playing on gamedays.
This is how Spann-Ford's last three college seasons look like on the stat sheet:
2021: 29 targets, 23 catches, no drops
2022: 60 targets, 42 catches, three drops (6.7%)
2023: 46 targets, 25 catches, nine drops (26.5%)
The good news for Spann-Ford is that he can put this storyline to bed starting now by being a consistent catcher in OTAs and minicamp and he doesn't really need to wait until training camp to etch his name as a likely 53-man roster roster.
