Dallas Cowboys: The curious case of tight end Rico Gathers

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LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 12: Rico Gathers #80 of the Dallas Cowboys catches a pass as Folarin Orimolade #56 of the Los Angeles Rams defends during the second half of a presason game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

The team needs creativity, but also should stick to their bread and butter in the run game. Because of this, it is impossible for Gathers to play the large role of tight end one in the Cowboys offense. It is unrealistic to think he can develop into the next Jason Witten. But on a team with underrated tight end depth, why does he have to be?

The Cowboys have all the blocking they want in Geoff Swaim and Dalton Shultz. Jarwin has the potential to become a good all-around tight end, but is an undrafted tight end going into only his second year. If the team has been filling former receiver Dez Bryant‘s hole with a committee approach, why can’t they do the same for tight end?

Gathers does not have to be one of the first two tight ends on the depth chart. He does not have to be one of the two tight ends in the oft-used ’12’ personnel. But when the team is looking for a mismatch in their ’10’ personnel (one back no tight ends) on 3rd and 8, or a defensive coordinators nightmare in the red zone; Gathers is your man.

If your argument against is predictability, the Cowboys have shown a propensity to run the ball regardless of if the whole stadium knows it. Though they have chosen questionable times to go away from it, opposing teams play the Cowboys knowing they are going to get a healthy dose of number 21.

Using a tight end who blocks overwhelmingly more than he is a receiver and vice versa will not be any more predictable than the team has been recently. Using Gathers in obvious passing downs won’t change how big, fast, or strong he is; he’s a weapon regardless.

The team also has him under contract for the next two seasons at under a million dollars a year. He is not getting paid like a number one tight end, nor does he need to be used as one. He is being paid number three tight end money and his limited use warrants it, but that limited use is so important to what the Cowboys need to revive their offense.

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The team has an underrated bevy of potential receiving threats next year that will take many by surprise. It’s time for the team to take full advantage of these weapons and help their team by employing them.

The team has two more guaranteed years of Rico ‘Zeus’ Gathers. Why not let him do what he can do?

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