Dallas Cowboys: Raised Expectations for Rico Gathers and Jaylon Smith?

All draft indications say the Dallas Cowboys are not only committed, but planning on tight end, Rico Gathers, and linebacker, Jaylon Smith, playing real roles on the 2017 team.

Dallas Cowboys fans are obviously high on the potential Jaylon Smith and Rico Gathers offer. Both possess the skill to be stars at their respective positions. And while we shouldn’t bank on All-Star level performances, we can reasonably expect contributions. Because according to the Dallas Cowboys’ actions on draft weekend, they are expecting contributions at the very least.

For the first time in a dozen years, the Dallas Cowboys did not select a linebacker in the annual draft. Drafting linebackers have been commonplace over the years. The violence of the position, combined with optimal special teams fit, has made linebacker a regularly stocked position unit. Injuries and turnover are as prevalent as ever, yet the Cowboys stood pat, seemingly satisfied with the current depth chart.

They say actions speak louder than words and the Dallas Cowboys actions spoke volumes last weekend in their support of Rico Gathers and Jaylon Smith.

While the Cowboys aren’t as committed to drafting tight ends with the same frequency as linebackers, they were expected by many to be major players in the tight end market. But despite plenty of fantastic opportunities to add talented tight ends in the 2017 NFL Draft (Jake Butt for one), the Cowboys opted to pass on the TE, addressing needs elsewhere.

Jaylon Smith

The Dallas Cowboys have verbally been supportive and optimistic towards Jaylon Smith’s recovery. Even before the nerve showed any noteworthy improvement, Cowboys brass had Smith penciled in as the starting MIKE for 2017.

Right before the draft, news broke that the troublesome nerve was showing significant improvement and “drop foot” (aka “foot drop”)was no longer the problem it once was. All of this was cause for optimism around Cowboys Nation and was enough to let the Cowboys pass over the linebacker position (first time since 2004) in the draft.

Obviously the entire position unit played a part in the Cowboys confidence in the current LB stable. Anthony Hitchens can play all three positions adequately. Kyle Wilber (SAM) is an established veteran and special teams ace. Damien Wilson is continuing to progress and should see more action than in the past. And Mark Nzeocha, the uber-talented import, may be on the verge of breaking out.

But none of those players remotely compare to the potential Jaylon Smith delivers. Smith, regarded as one of the best, if not THE best, prospect in the 2016 draft, can be a cornerstone piece to the Dallas Cowboys defense for the next decade. Without him and his high-ceiling potential, it’s unlikely the Cowboys go through the draft without addressing the LB position.

Rico Gathers

The Rico Gathers bandwagon has been full ever since he was selected as a project player in the 2016 NFL Draft. His basketball skills, size, and athleticism were something to get excited for despite his limited football experience.

But an offseason of learning from Cowboys coaches and practicing with Tony Romo, has made Gathers more than just your typical “pet cat” and now a likely active player on the 53-man roster. And possibly more in the not-too-distant future.

The Cowboys have good role players on the depth chart behind Jason Witten. They are returning James Hanna and Geoff Swaim, two players who were injured most, if not all, of the 2016 season. While both players are well regarded and more polished than Gathers, they lack the upside to ever be a potential TE1. I admit that and I’m a big Geoff Swaim fan…

They say actions speak louder than words and the Dallas Cowboys actions spoke volumes last weekend in their support of Rico Gathers and Jaylon Smith.

Many are eager to make this situation mean more than it really does. It doesn’t mean Gathers is on the verge of supplanting Witten as TE1. It doesn’t even mean he’s going to be TE2 or TE3, for that matter. It just means he’s now at the point where he can be a contributor (with the potential for much more, of course).

The same for Jaylon Smith. He’s not suddenly expected to hit the ground running at an All-Pro level. Sure, without an established veteran in front of him on the depth chart, he won’t have to do much to claim the starting MIKE spot. But like Gathers, the development will be gradual. While Gathers is learning the intricacies of the position, Smith is healing. He’s on an unknown timeline.

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The Dallas Cowboys are clearly banking on these players to be contributors (at the very least) this season. By not investing in young budding talent in the draft, the Cowboys appear to also be excited about these two players’ high-end potential. Be excited but temper until you see them play. Training camp will provide us all the fuel we need…

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