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In the last two drafts, the Cowboys have added pass-catching tight ends James Hanna and Gavin Escobar.

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Does this mean the Cowboys are ready to move on from veteran Jason Witten?

Of course not. If anything, the Cowboys want to add to their passing game and believe the talent obtained the last two years will help accomplish that.

Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones offered these thoughts on his tight ends: "The answer is simply if you have that kind of talent, certainly as (receiving tight ends) and can get some blocking out of (them), then what does that allow us to do? Frankly, not necessarily different in concept ... But it really allows us to have different challenges, different views (against the defense), maybe doing the same things, but they are dealing with different types of personal."

Witten is an elite player and has been for years. Last season, he caught a team-high 110 passes for 1,039 yards and three touchdowns. Witten does need more touches in the red zone and it's amazing he doesn't have more touchdown catches given his ability to slip through defenses. He doesn't have great speed, but he's fast enough to get down field to make plays.

Adding Escobar and Hanna helps the Cowboys' offense in the future.

But the present at the tight end position is certainly with Witten.

IRVING, Texas -- The Cowboys made it clear they will become a two-tight end personnel team after the draft.

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Jerry Jones invoked the New England Patriots when discussing the scheme following the selection of San Diego State tight end Gavin Escobar in the second round. The Cowboys also had Notre Dame’s Tyler Eifert graded as a first-round pick.

With Jason Witten (who is coming off a 110-catch season), James Hanna and Escobar, the Cowboys are in position to attempt to simulate what Tom Brady does with Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez.

We offer a Q&A with ESPN Boston’s Mike Reiss for an explanation of how New England uses its “12 personnel.”

Archer: What makes the Patriots' use of the two-tight end package work so well?

Reiss: It starts with the unique talents of the tight ends themselves. Rob Gronkowski (6-foot-6, 265 pounds) is obviously a very tough matchup for a linebacker or safety. He's more likely to be aligned closest to the offensive tackle, but because he runs so well, the Patriots will also split him out wide. He's equally as effective as a blocker or pass-catcher, making him a true "combination" tight end. Aaron Hernandez (6-1, 245) is a nice complement to Gronkowski. He is more receiver-like and thus is split out wide more often or on the move, although he does align close to the tackle on occasion and is competitive as an in-line blocker even though it's not his forte. We've seen the Patriots run the same offense with different tight ends and it hasn't been as effective (e.g., last season's playoffs when Gronkowski was out with injury), so I think the first key is to acknowledge that it's more about the players than the scheme when it comes to the Patriots' two-tight end package and its success.

Archer: How does it differ, in your mind, from how other teams use the package?

Reiss: Probably the biggest thing is how many formations and adjustments they can run out of it, which comes back to the versatility and unique skills of the top two tight ends, Gronkowski and Hernandez. They could be empty in the package, with both tight ends split out wide, or more tightly compact in a traditional look with both tight ends aligned next to the tackles. Sometimes they play up-tempo with it. Other times they slow it down. So there are really so many things you can do out of the package, which again is tied to the uniqueness of Gronkowski and Hernandez. When one of those players has been injured, the package isn't as dynamic, and at times in those situations, the Patriots will use a third receiver over a second tight end.

Archer: How do most teams combat it with their defensive personnel?

Reiss: I'd say most teams combat it with a nickel package, essentially treating Hernandez as a receiver. When that happens, the Patriots have made a concerted effort to turn to the running game, feeling that a two-TE package should be able to win that matchup against a smaller defense. The results were uneven last season when it was two-TE versus nickel, in part due to some injuries on the offensive line. One of the clear-cut examples of it working to a T was last year's Sept. 30 win over the Bills, when they played a small nickel the entire game (it could have even been a dime but they listed 6-1, 220-pound safety Bryan Scott as a linebacker) and the Patriots powered through them for 247 rushing yards. Other teams have stayed in base, but it takes special personnel to do that and not get beaten by the tight ends in the passing game.

Archer: Is there ever a downside to it, like shrinking the field too much?

Reiss: If we wanted to nitpick from a Patriots perspective, we could say that relying so heavily on the two-TE package when your top receiver is more of a slot option (Wes Welker from 2007 to '12) means that your three best pass-catchers all do their best work in the middle of the field. So I guess there is a part of it where "shrinking the field" could come into play, but I don't think that's a reason not to do it. If you have two special tight ends, they can be matchup-busters and you can dictate terms based on their versatility. If the defense plays nickel against you, pound it at that team. If the defense plays base personnel, spread that defense out and let it rip.

Archer: Has the package all but eliminated the fullback in the offense?

Reiss: Yes, for the most part. The Patriots used tight end Michael Hoomanawanui in a fullback role at times last season. Other times, most often closer to the goal line, they used an offensive lineman as a fullback. But overall, when running so much of the offense with two tight ends, you're most often going to see two receivers and a running back paired with them unless it's a short-yardage situation. In terms of building the 53-man roster, one point that Bill Belichick has made is that the fullback is basically competing against a running back, tight end or linebacker for a spot, and it often can come down to special teams contributions. The Patriots didn't carry a pure fullback last season.

Let's get this out of the way now: The Dallas Cowboys are not interested in quarterback Tim Tebow. No, not even as a tight end.

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Multiple Cowboys sources gave the answer "no" when asked if the team wanted to sign Tebow. The Cowboys have not been linked to Tebow like the New England Patriots, and you can read about how my guys at ESPNBoston.com answered the Tebow question here.

Adding Tebow to the Cowboys -- and to any team, it seems -- would create a national frenzy.

Let's examine why it's good and bad not to bring him to Valley Ranch. (To be honest, I don't see any good from it).

1. The quarterback spot. Given the public backlash quarterback Tony Romo is receiving for his new contract, if he has a bad game in 2013 -- and believe me he'll have one or two -- it would raise the ire of the fans and push the media into asking coach Jason Garrett about benching Romo for Tebow during a rough performance. Garrett was asked about benching Romo during his five-interception game against Chicago last season when Kyle Orton was the backup. No need to add drama to your team at the quarterback spot. Also, the Cowboys don't seem enamored with using the Wildcat, given the current personnel they have.

2. Moving him to tight end. If Tebow decides to play tight end, he still doesn't fit well. The Cowboys drafted Gavin Escobar, another pass-catching tight end, to add with James Hanna and Jason Witten. The Cowboys need a blocking tight end, and that's not Tebow. While he could become a good blocker over time, his skill set is more of a receiver -- if he makes the position change.

3. Drama, drama, drama. The last thing the Cowboys need is drama. It's one thing to have issues on the field when it comes to wins and losses, but it's another to have Tebow drama. He's a good guy in the locker room, according to ex-teammates, but you have to wonder how his teammates will deal with Tebow getting besieged by reporters on a weekly basis about his thoughts on football and Christianity. It would wear you down after a while.

IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys' newly drafted second-round tight end, Gavin Escobar from San Diego State, said he hopes to one day replace the team's Jason Witten.

"I'm always striving to be a complete tight end like Jason Witten," Escobar said Friday night in a conference call with reporters. "If I'm able to take over his role once he's gone, that would be amazing."

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In three seasons at San Diego State, Escobar caught 122 passes for 1,646 yards with 17 touchdowns. He had just 11 starts the past two seasons but picked up 13 touchdowns.

Escobar is considered a pass-catching tight end, which matches up with the current roster of James Hanna and Witten. There was a thought the Cowboys would get a blocking tight end, something they haven't had since Martellus Bennett was on the roster.

"Right now, I just need to get bigger and work on the run game more," Escobar said. "That's one main thing I need to excel on to be a complete tight end, a three-down tight end."

IRVING, Texas – The Cowboys have one of the best tight ends in football in Jason Witten. With James Hanna, the Cowboys think they have a player who can be a mismatch for linebackers or safeties.

As the Cowboys enter the draft, they need to find another tight end. The only other tight ends on the roster are Colin Cochart and Andre Smith. Cochart had a cup of coffee with the club last year but didn’t play in a game. Smith was a late addition to the practice squad.

To a degree the Cowboys have wasted second-round picks on tight ends with Anthony Fasano (2006) and Martellus Bennett (2008). There simply aren’t enough plays for a tight end behind Witten to justify the second-round pick unless the Cowboys want to do what New England does with Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez.

This draft has a number of quality tight ends, but the Cowboys should not be in play for a Tyler Eifert or Zach Ertz, considered the top two at the position. Again, it’s based on how they use their second tight end behind Witten.

You have to maximize plays per game with early picks. Unless the Cowboys switch their philosophy and move away from heavy three-wide receiver personnel looks, then it does not make sense to grab a tight end early. And it doesn’t make sense to take a “pass-catching” tight end either.

The Cowboys have to look at the “blocking” tight ends more.

They had two of those types in for top-30 visits in Rutgers’ D.C. Jefferson and Michigan State’s Dion Sims. Both players are considered solid blocking prospects, with Sims more highly regarded. Another option is Alabama’s Michael Williams.

The first day of free agency is over and things will probably slow down a little on Day 2. With that, we review what we heard, saw and talked about Tuesday night and preview what could happen down the line.

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The loss of John Phillips: The Cowboys lost their backup tight end to the San Diego Chargers on Tuesday. Phillips was part of that dreadful 2009 class that produced very little for the Cowboys. Only free agent linebacker Victor Butler remains, and he's drawn interest from the New York Jets. Losing Phillips isn't a big deal because James Hanna has more upside as a solid pass-catching tight end. The Cowboys are in need of a blocking tight end, and this is where drafting someone in the late rounds could be important.

Chase Blackburn vs. Kevin Burnett: The Cowboys released backup inside linebacker Dan Connor because he refused to take a pay cut. The Cowboys are in the market for another one and like middle linebacker Blackburn, who started 15 games last season for the New York Giants at middle linebacker. He finished second on the Giants with 97 tackles and had eight tackles for loss and seven quarterback hits. He also had three sacks and six pass breakups. If signed, Blackburn, an eight-year pro, would be a nice backup for Sean Lee at the inside linebacker spot. But what about Burnett? The former Cowboys linebacker was released by the Miami Dolphins on Tuesday and might be a nice pickup to start at that vacant outside linebacker position. Burnett, who started 16 games for the Dolphins last season at one of the outside linebacker positions in the Dolphins' 3-4 scheme, would like a return to Dallas. He was credited with 109 total tackles (second on the team), picked up 2 1/2 sacks, five tackles for loss and five quarterback hits. Who would you rather have, Blackburn or Burnett?

Martellus Bennett goes to Chicago: The tight end signed a four-year, $20 million deal with the Chicago Bears. He's come a long way since his days in Dallas, when he fumed at times for not getting enough passes thrown his way. Bennett had an excellent season for the Giants and, while they wanted him to return, the Bears had a need at the position. One of the biggest problems with Bennett in Dallas was his lack of maturity and the Cowboys' inability to know how to use him. Bennett's career is summed up this way in Dallas: He caught four touchdown passes his rookie season (2008) and none the next three seasons. He caught five TD passes during his one year with the Giants. He's a good blocking tight end, something the Cowboys need, and he's athletic enough to make plays on the field. We'll see how Bennett does with Jay Cutler.

Jenkins and Jones drawing interest: Free agent cornerback Mike Jenkins and running back Felix Jones didn't have any visits the first day of free agency. But with the biggest day of this period over with, both are starting to draw interest. The former first-round picks, especially Jones, need to prove to NFL teams that they can stay healthy for an entire season and are willing to accept backup roles. It will be interesting to see if Jenkins, a former Pro Bowler, gets a two- or three-year contract to become a starter or maybe gets his role changed to possibly get snaps at safety, where he played some in 2012.

The good news: The Cowboys couldn't participate Tuesday because they have just $175,000 in cap space. Anthony Spencer signed his franchise tender, and the team can continue having talks with their defensive end about a long-term deal. Also, if the team can finalize a new long-term deal with Tony Romo, it'll lower his salary cap number from $16.8 million and open the door for the Cowboys to sign some second-tier free agents.

John Phillips’ departure to San Diego isn’t a major loss for the Cowboys.

James Hanna, a sixth-round pick last season, offers more potential as the Cowboys’ No. 2 tight end. Hanna has elite speed for the position, making him an intriguing complement to Jason Witten.

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The role of Phillips, whom ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports agreed to a three-year deal with the Chargers, likely would have been significantly reduced if he had returned to Valley Ranch. The Cowboys could use a good blocking tight end, but Phillips was only adequate in that department anyway.

Perhaps the most significant thing about Phillips’ departure: The Cowboys now have absolutely nothing to show for the 2009 draft. A dozen picks, not one remaining on the Cowboys’ roster, barring a change of heart regarding their lack of interest in keeping unrestricted free agent Victor Butler.

The Cowboys’ biggest mistake in that draft arguably occurred before the trade deadline the previous season, when they shipped their first-, third- and sixth-round picks to Detroit for perennially underachieving receiver Roy Williams and a seventh-rounder. Williams set the unofficial Cowboys record for the highest dollars-to-impact ratio before being released two and a half seasons later.

The Cowboys ended up trading out of the second round as well after the Seahawks swooped in a couple of picks ahead of them to take their target, center/guard Max Unger. The Cowboys picked up third- and fourth-rounders from the Bills, who used the No. 51 overall to take guard Andy Levitre, who agreed to a five-year, $39 million deal with the Tennessee Titans today after starting every game the last four seasons for Buffalo.

The top-rated player on the Cowboys’ board at the time, by far: running back LeSean McCoy. Dallas had a first-round grade on McCoy, but they were all set at running back with the trio of Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice.

The Cowboys instead turned that pick into offensive lineman Robert Brewster and Butler. Brewster, like most of the Cowboys’ draft class that year, is out of the league and didn’t do anything to help the Cowboys. At least Butler hung around for four years, contributing as a reserve outside linebacker.

Phillips and Butler, a couple of decent backups, were the success stories from the draft. With them leaving in free agency, it’d be nice just to forget about that draft, but the lack of depth on the Cowboys’ roster is a constant reminder of the Dreadful Dozen.

IRVING, Texas -- Unable to do any real shopping in free agency Tuesday, the Cowboys lost their first player to the open market when tight end John Phillips agreed to a three-year deal with San Diego, according to a source.

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Phillips will go from backing up one of the NFL’s best tight ends in Jason Witten to another in the Chargers' Antonio Gates.

Phillips caught eight passes for 55 yards and a touchdown last season while making eight starts. He took over as the No. 2 tight end in 2012 when Martellus Bennett left in free agency, but his playing time decreased later in the season in favor of rookie James Hanna.

The Cowboys would have liked to have kept Phillips, a sixth-round pick in 2009, but they were not willing to spend much. Phillips caught 30 passes for 218 yards and two scores in 48 games. He missed the 2010 season with a knee injury.

The Cowboys are in the market for a veteran tight end behind Witten, with Hanna and Colin Cochart and Andre Smith currently on the roster.

The finale of a 10-part series breaking down the Cowboys' free-agency needs, position by position:

Tight ends

Who’s on the roster: Colin Cochart, James Hanna, Andre Smith and Jason Witten

Analysis: Witten, after a slow start in 2012, proved once again that he's an elite tight end. It's still a mystery as to why he doesn't get enough touches in the red zone. But Witten continues to be a prime target and safety net for quarterback Tony Romo. There were times last season where Witten seemed unstoppable. Hanna is a solid pass-catching tight end who moves up the depth chart in 2013. Hanna has impressed the coaches with his route running and catching ability. It won't happen for a few years, but Hanna appears to be the future at this position.

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NFL free agents of interest: John Phillips, Anthony Fasano, Dustin Keller and Travis Beckum.

Need meter: 6. The Cowboys miss Martellus Bennett, who was a solid blocking tight end. And while Bennett is a free agent this spring, he won't be looking to return to Dallas. The team should get a veteran who can block well and isn't worried about getting touches on a regular basis. Fasano possibly? He was a Cowboys draft pick who was traded to Miami. If the Cowboys decide to address the position in the draft, that's fine too, but finding someone who can block well on a consistent basis is very important.

INDIANAPOLIS – The Cowboys have six picks in the April draft. In a way, they might end up with a nine-man draft class.

Last year the Cowboys did not get any production from three 2012 draft picks: fourth-round safety Matt Johnson, who was plagued by a hamstring all season, fifth round wide receiver Danny Coale, who spent most of the year on the practice squad before suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament and seventh-round linebacker Caleb McSurdy, who suffered an Achilles’ tear in training camp.

“If we can get some guys on the field, add the (2013) draft class, we can do some upgrading,” owner and general manager Jerry Jones said.

Even from the healthy draft picks last year the Cowboys did not get a ton of help. First rounder Morris Claiborne started 15 games and had one interception. Third-rounder Tyrone Crawford served as a backup defensive lineman.

Linebacker Kyle Wilber saw little to no action on defense, and tight end James Hanna did not become a factor until later in the season. Hanna’s role should increase in 2013 as the backup to Jason Witten.

“Some of those guys who we thought might have a role for us in year one because of injuries they had didn’t show up quite as much,” coach Jason Garrett said. “Now we are in year two. They are coming off injuries so hopefully they can compete at whatever spot they competing at and make us better us better as a football team.”

IRVING, Texas – Last week the Cowboys coaches and front office met to discuss the personnel on the roster and players who could leave, such as Anthony Spencer. This week the Cowboys head to the NFL scouting combine to begin in earnest the search for new players.

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The Cowboys will get the chance to meet officially with 60 players during interviews that last 15 minutes apiece. They will hold informal discussions with other players, as well.

The two most important parts of the combine are the interviews and the medical information, with all of the players taking physicals.

The most talked about part of the combine -- and often the most overrated -- will be the workouts. Drills don’t really mean the guy can play (or can’t play) on Sundays.

The Cowboys' needs are pretty clear: Offensive and defensive line, safety, linebacker, cornerback, tight end and wide receiver.

With a sticky salary cap situation, the Cowboys must draft well. The drafts the last three years have been better (Dez Bryant, Sean Lee, Sean Lissemore, Tyron Smith, Bruce Carter, DeMarco Murray, Dwayne Harris, Morris Claiborne, Tyrone Crawford, James Hanna), but they don’t make up for the poor ones from 2007-09.

The Cowboys have six picks in the April draft, having dealt their seventh-round pick to Miami for center Ryan Cook. They are not expecting a compensatory pick for losing Laurent Robinson, Martellus Bennett, Bradie James and Abram Elam in free agency.

For the Cowboys to get over the 8-8 hump, they must win the draft. That’s why the combine matters so much.

Former Dallas Cowboys scout Bryan Broaddus, who is now working for the team's website as an analyst, made a great point the other day on KRLD-FM about how the Cowboys screwed up a trade from the 2009 draft.

If you don't remember, the Cowboys traded their second-round pick to the Buffalo Bills for a third and fourth rounder. So that's the 51st overall selection gone.

The Cowboys made the move when guard Max Unger was taken 49th overall by the Seattle Seahawks. According to Broaddus, the Cowboys had a first-round grade on Unger and wanted to get him. When Unger was off the board, the Cowboys made the trade. However, the team had a first-round grade on running back LeSean McCoy, according to Broaddus. McCoy went to Philadelphia at the 53rd overall pick. So who did the Bills select at 51? Guard Andy Levitre.

Bypassing McCoy wasn't the end of the world because at that time the Cowboys had Marion Barber and Felix Jones as their main running backs, but leaving talented players such as Levitre, tackle Phil Loadholt, defensive end Paul Kruger and tackle Will Beatty on the board hurt. Flozell Adams was past his prime and upgrading the tackle position should have been a priority if the team lost out on Unger. McCoy is an outstanding player and he would have made an impact as well by challenging Jones and Barber at running back.

So when the Cowboys finally drafted in 2009, they selected Western Illinois' linebacker Jason Williams who never made an impact. So, what did the Cowboys do with the two picks from the Bills? Tackle Robert Brewster (75th overall) and Victor Butler (110 overall) were drafted. Brewster never played and Butler was inconsistent during his time with the Cowboys and is now a unrestricted free agent.

When the Cowboys dealt with health issues at linebacker and defensive back in 2012, the backups were street free agents instead of draft picks who could have produced.

The Cowboys selected four linebackers in 2009, including TCU's Stephen Hodge, who was coming off major knee surgery and never played a game. There were three defensive backs selected as well and only safety Michael Hamlin made the team after he was drafted.

But the core special teams players from that 2009 draft didn't make an impact and weren't around to play a reserve role on defense.

The Cowboys improved from that terrible draft class with solid picks in 2010 (Dez Bryant, Sean Lee), 2011 (Tyron Smith, Bruce Carter, DeMarco Murray and Dwayne Harris) and 2012 (Morris Claiborne, James Hanna and Tyrone Crawford).

When it's time for the Cowboys to pick up the phone and call New York with their draft selection, they can't mess up like they did in 2009 because that draft haunted them in 2012.

John Phillips

Position: Tight end

Type: Unrestricted

Summary: The backup tight end finished with eight catches for 55 yards and one touchdown. It was the second-fewest receptions in Phillips' four-year career. It was clear the Cowboys missed a good blocking tight end after they let Martellus Bennett go in free agency. Phillips was inconsistent in this area. It seems he has never been the same player after tearing his ACL in 2010. Phillips underwent shoulder surgery recently and he should be in good shape for training camp.

Why keep him: Phillips is a smart player who runs good routes but gets lost behind the excellent play of Jason Witten. Phillips can make some plays when called upon.

Why let him go: James Hanna emerged as a good player and finished with more receiving yards (86 to 55) than Phillips.

Best guess: Cowboys let him test the market and move Hanna into the No. 2 role behind Witten.

Follow the rest of the series here.

ALLEN, Texas -- Checked out the Texas vs. The Nation college all-star game on Saturday afternoon and came away with some impressions in regards to the Cowboys.

• Michigan State's Anthony Rashard White was pretty impressive for the The Nation and might be worth a pick in the middle rounds. White, 6-foot-2, 330 pounds, played defensive tackle and took on numerous double-teams and was able to get some pressures on the Texas quarterbacks. White was difficult to block on several plays as he displayed quickness and power. Some NFL teams could see him as a nose tackle, but the Cowboys, if they're considering him, could place him at defensive tackle.

• Tight end Matt Furstenburg from Maryland ran some good routes and didn't have too many problems blocking. Furstenburg is a big target at 6--foot-3, 244 pounds. He seems like a fourth- or fifth-round pick and if the Cowboys select him, he could become the No. 3 tight end if John Phillips doesn't get re-signed in the offseason and James Hanna moves up the depth chart.

• Texas A&M center Patrick Lewis looked pretty good in run blocking and seems to have that push you're looking for. The Cowboys started three different centers last season due to injury. Lewis should get a serious look at Dallas Day this spring. He's not a highly-regarded draft pick, but we'll see how he performs moving forward in his workouts with other teams.

• Cornerback AJ Bouye from Central Florida forced a fumble and looked good in man coverage on Saturday. Bouye has the skill set to play slot corner because he has quick feet and isn't afraid to mix it up with wide receivers. The Texas quarterbacks targeted him on consecutive plays late in the first half and while the receiver caught the passes, there was little room to get free.

• SMU outside linebacker Ja'Gared Davis was good rushing off the edge and picked up a tackle for loss and provided some pressure on the quarterback. Davis was quick off the ball and showed some finesse and power in his rushes. Davis is another player the Cowboys should bring to Dallas Day and maybe target him as a late draft pick.

IRVING, Texas – Tight end John Phillips had recent surgery on his left shoulder, but the soon-to-be free agent is expected to be ready for the spring workouts.

Phillips is set to be an unrestricted free agent in March but could return to the Cowboys. He started eight games in 2012 and finished with eight catches for 55 yards and a touchdown. Late in the season he lost playing time to rookie James Hanna.

Phillips is the third Cowboys player to undergo offseason surgery. Linebacker DeMarcus Ware had right shoulder surgery earlier in the month and is looking at a long rehab that could keep him out until training camp. Cornerback Sterling Moore had minor left knee surgery for a cleanup.