5 bold predictions for the Dallas Cowboys in 2018

3. Rico Gathers will become the starter at tight end

Similar to the prediction about Gallup, this one is about Gathers becoming the starter by the end of the season. Don’t expect the former Baylor star to be a key cog in the Cowboys offense on Week One. It could happen by Week 16 though.

The race to replace Jason Witten is wide open at the moment. Geoff Swaim is currently listed as the team’s starter but he only made two catches last season. There’s no one in the competition that is blessed with a ton of NFL experience.

In cases like this, it makes sense to bet on the best athlete to win out. Gathers is certainly the most dynamic player in this group. He doesn’t have a ton of football experience, but his basketball background makes it clear he has a lot of athleticism to spare. If the Cowboys can channel that into football they could have a major player on their hands.

Don’t expect Gathers to put up numbers anywhere near what Witten did in his prime. There’s a reason Witten is going to be a first ballot HOFer. Instead, look for Gathers to find a way to grow in this offense as the season progresses. He’ll take over the starting role due to his size and speed in early December.