Breaking down the Dallas Cowboys 2019 tight end depth chart

The constant question: Rico Gathers

A sixth-round flier in 2016 was used on former Baylor basketball player Rico Gathers. He hadn’t played organized football since middle school which made him quite the developmental project.

So far, he has yet to make the most out of his talent and remains a question mark heading into his fourth season. He never saw the field his first two years and in his third season, he had just three receptions for 45 yards.

There are whispers of him not being lined up right and struggling with the offensive concepts. Still, he has so much athleticism and size that it’s hard to give up on the hope that he can turn into something fun to watch. The only question left is how long the team will give him to figure it all out.

Fighting for the last spot: Codey McElroy

Another former Oklahoma State Cowboy trying to make the roster is Cody McElroy who was undrafted last season. A former baseball player who spent two seasons in the minor leagues, McElroy is fighting for a spot in Dallas.

Usually, they keep four tight ends so he has a shot if he can beat out Gathers, but it won’t be easy. McElroy was late to the game of football, largely because they didn’t offer it in high school.

As a rookie, he never made an active roster and only had two receptions for eight yards in the preseason for L.A. It won’t be an easy road, but he can turn some heads in the preseason and doesn’t have a lot ahead of him.