Fantasy Football: One Deep Sleeper Candidate From Every NFL Team
Rico Gathers, TE, Dallas Cowboys
It seems like the Dallas Cowboys have been attempting to find their tight end of the future for the past decade. First, Martellus Bennett was supposed to push Jason Witten after being selected in the second round, and then Gavin Escobar, also a second-round pick, was the next guy in line. Late-round stab James Hanna was also given a chance, but Witten kept dad-running his way to the starting job and has been a major part of this otherwise young offense throughout the summer.
But Rico Gathers could be the guy who finally changes all of that. The former Baylor basketball forward last played football when he was 13-years-old, making a "business decision" to pursue basketball in an effort to avoid the physical wear and tear of football. But at 6'7" and a chiseled 276 pounds, Gathers certainly looks the part of an NFL tight end, enough so that the Cowboys drafted the inexperienced prospect in the sixth round of the 2016 draft. And he's been making plays ever since.
Displaying remarkably soft hands and enough burst to get up the seam, Gathers dominated early in the preseason, with 7 receptions for 106 yards and 2 touchdowns through two games. Unfortunately, he suffered a concussion in mid-August, and he's still in the protocol as of August 28th. That lost time could cost him in the battle to earn significant playing time in 2017, although the Cowboys have likely seen enough of his potential to want to carry him on the 53-man roster. They would probably lose him in the waiver process if they tried to sneak a healthy Gathers onto the practice squad.
In the past five seasons, Witten has averaged 109 targets per year, which is the role you are banking on Gathers filling if you are to find any significant fantasy value. The 35-year-old Witten hasn't hinted at retirement, but you have to assume the end is approaching. Should Gathers earn his roster spot and get healthy, he is worth monitoring closely in deep dynasty formats.
