Dolphins sign veteran tight end Escobar for some added depth
The Miami Dolphins signed veteran tight end Gavin Escobar on Monday, adding to one of the team’s thinnest position units.
Escobar, a former San Diego State standout who was drafted in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft by the Dallas Cowboys, has played in 64 games with seven starts during his NFL career.
He was released by the Cleveland Browns last week, three months after signing a contract with the winless Browns.
The bulk of Escobar’s playing time came during his four seasons with the Cowboys, where he was one of many backups to Jason Witten, a future Hall of Famer.
Escobar caught 30 passes for 333 yards and scored eight touchdowns during his Cowboys career.
He signed with the Chiefs last offseason, but never made it out of training camp. He signed with the Baltimore Ravens last October and played in games before being in November.
Escobar, who is listed two released
at 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, will compete with A.J. Derby, MarQueis Gray and Thomas Duarte to determine which two or three tight ends will be onto Miami’s 53-man roster come September.
Derby, Gray and Duarte has collectively played in 93 NFL games, contributing 64 receptions for 732 yards and two touchdowns.
The Dolphins released Julius Thomas earlier this offseason and haven’t resigned veteran tight end Anthony Fasano.
Even though coach Adam Gase said re-signing Fasano remains an option, the initial plan was to wait until after the Dolphins see what they land in the NFL draft, which is next week.
The Dolphins plan to supplement the depth chart by selecting a tight end with one of the team’s eight draft picks, and it is doubtful that signing Escobar will change that approach.
Escobar will likely participate in the Dolphins’ offseason training program, which began on Monday at the team’s Davie facility and will carry on through June.
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