The Dallas Cowboys have 16 players set to become unrestricted free agents in March. In this series, we determine why a player should or should not return in 2016 and beyond.
Position: Tight end
Age: 26
NFL experience: Four years
2015 salary: $660,000
2015 statistics: He played in 14 games, missing two because of knee and ankle injuries, and finished the year with nine catches for 79 yards. He also had six special teams’ tackles. He missed just one game after undergoing knee surgery early in the year.
Why he will be back: Gavin Escobar tore his Achilles in the final game of the season and will most likely start the year on the physically-unable-to-perform list. Geoff Swaim played sparingly as a rookie. But it’s more than that. Hanna is a solid second tight end. He was able to keep Escobar, a second rounder in 2012, from getting a lot of work. He came to the Cowboys with the reputation as a pass-catching tight end but has developed into a valuable blocker in their zone scheme.
Why he will not be back: In 2013, the Cowboys lost John Phillips to the San Diego Chargers as a free agent because the deal was more than they were willing to spend. The Cowboys could find themselves in the same predicament with Hanna. There is a lot of money out there to spend, and teams could see his speed and his improved blocking as a way to fill in their No. 2 spot.
Chance to return: Moderate. It will come down to cost. The Cowboys want to keep him because they know how valuable he is, but will other teams value him more?
The series:
Robert Turbin provided relief.
Charles Brown filled role but is not needed in 2016.
Hard to see Josh Thomas in plans.
Matt Cassel plan went awry.
Jeremy Mincey could return after all.
Is Morris Claiborne's time over?
Fullback Tyler Clutts a possibility to return.
Rolando McClain seems to like Cowboys fit.
Jack Crawford could get more elsewhere.