The 2016 Dallas Cowboys Rookie Class was one for the ages, and even though we’re just days away from the 2017 NFL Draft it may not be done contributing just yet. One of 2016’s 6th Round picks is making headlines – No, not Anthony Brown and his tattoo! – as he prepares to give the Cowboys what they need. Rico Gathers is putting in work to become the next Jason Witten.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BTS5OpwBP2U/
The Cowboys have a sneakily terrifying amount of depth at Tight End as they enter the 2017 season. Sure there’s the freshly re-signed and future Pro Football Hall of Famer Jason Witten, but after that there’s not a whole lot that you can really bank on.
There’s Geoff Swaim, who was injured last season during the win in Pittsburgh, and last year’s contract recipient James Hanna, who was injured before the season ever began. That’s it. Those signs would point to two potential options for the Dallas Cowboys in terms of depth.
The 2017 NFL Draft
The Cowboys could be targeting a middle-to-late-round tight end to add to their corps this season. Everyone knows the big names like OJ Howard and David Njoku, but perhaps Adam Shaheen is one that could be the next to wear the Star.
It is worth noting as we prepare for the NFL Draft that the Dallas Cowboys have drafted a Tight End in four out of the last five years: James Hanna (2012 6th Round), Gavin Escobar (2013 2nd Round), Geoff Swaim (2015 7th Round), and Rico Gathers (2016 6th Round).
Rico Gathers
The alternative option to acquiring more talent in this year’s Draft is of course to roll with last year’s final selection, Rico Gathers. If Gathers can demonstrate the form shown in this Instagram video on a regular basis, then the Cowboys may be able to use their Draft capital on other needs.
It’s well-known how basketball players have translated to the football field. Rico Gathers certainly has the physical traits and the athleticism, now it’s a matter of finding out whether or not he can put the entire package together.
Gathers is listed at 6′ 6′ / 273 lbs, but it might be 6′ 7″
You can see the size and agility. That’s what will carry the day for him if he makes the transition to pro football. 40-yard dash: 4.75 seconds
So as I mentioned in another article the goal here is not a stretch-the-field TE, but a bruiser like an Eric Green or Mark Bavaro. Except Gathers will be more agile than they were. If he gets over all of the learning hurdles, we may get a starter who is hard to cover and then hard to tackle.
He has to be able to run the routes well, make the catch on different balls coming at him, take a shot and hold on. And block, mostly run block. People forget how good Witten is as a blocker.
Blocking is going to be his key to seeing the field. My hope is that he has put in the work over the last year to improve as a blocker. Hard to become Jason Witten, and those shouldn’t be the expecations, but if he can become a serviceable blocker, then the rest will follow.
The next Jason Witten, take it to the bank!!
To me it is certainly worth finding out. If we bring in another tight end that is going to take further opportunities away from Rico to develop in the offseason program and during preseason games. I’m good with giving this guy a chance and if he isn’t able to make significant improvement, target a TE next year. All that is if OJ Howard doesn’t fall to the Boys at 28.