Rico Gathers Fan Club

[pokerface40]

I am nominating myself President of the Rico Gathers Fan Club. I have mentioned him a ton leading up to the preseason and backed it up by picking him up in all 3 of my dynasty leagues.

Yes be needs to work on his blocking and the finer points of being a consistent NFL player. Yes he is behind a first ballot HOFer for the immediate future. Yes he didn't play football in high school or college.

No, none of this matters. He is a freak that has put his nose to the grindstone. The Boys almost have no choice but to keep him on the 53 at this point. He has a bad bleep name to boot, and I think you should pick him up, although it may be too late. Mark it dude, top 10 TE in 2018.

[Cowboysfan33]

I am nominating myself President of the Rico Gathers Fan Club. I have mentioned him a ton leading up to the preseason and backed it up by picking him up in all 3 of my dynasty leagues.

Yes be needs to work on his blocking and the finer points of being a consistent NFL player. Yes he is behind a first ballot HOFer for the immediate future. Yes he didn't play football in high school or college.

No, none of this matters. He is a freak that has put his nose to the grindstone. The Boys almost have no choice but to keep him on the 53 at this point. He has a bad bleep name to boot, and I think you should pick him up, although it may be too late. Mark it dude, top 10 TE in 2018.

Yeah, it's hard not to be excited about Rico and he will definitely make the 53, we can't risk trying to slide him on the practice squad. It was a lot easier to do as a rookie coming straight from Baylor playing basketball but he's shown too much promise now. I don't think he'll play a lot because Witten is such a good blocker and doesn't come off the field much but I do think he has a good chance to take Gavin Escobar's(KC) role in some red zone situations. I'm just excited that they might have a future replacement for Witten, it would be nice to be able to transition to a potential stud and only have a 6th round pick invested in him!

[MucBuc]

I'll join the Club. Picked him up for my 32-teamer rebuild when someone dropped him earlier this year, and there was some buzz around him. Didn't know much about him previously, but like what I've seen and read about him so far.

Maybe he's just another preseason darling. Maybe he's more, which would be nice since I missed out on this year's rookie TE class. The Cowboys stated that he will play a lot in preseason. I'm watching.

[Friction]

I actually have him from last year in my one league with deep rosters and 16 teams. With that said, i would bet against the top 10 TE for next year. Not that the position is one that is tough to ascend, I just dont think he will be quite there yet. I do like the bold prediction though.

[_yeti]

Got him super cheap in a startup, I'm talking lottery pick rounds. I'm pumped, just has to keep learning and practice hard, sky is the limit!

*Top 10 next year is not happening under any circumstance though. That's a little too much wishful thinking IMO

[Space Cowboy]

He's really good, but he's still a year away barring injury. I like Swoope as this year's breakout TE. Wouldn't be surprised if he finished 2nd in the pecking order behind TY.

[pokerface40]

Got him super cheap in a startup, I'm talking lottery pick rounds. I'm pumped, just has to keep learning and practice hard, sky is the limit!

*Top 10 next year is not happening under any circumstance though. That's a little too much wishful thinking IMO

Sure it's a bit bold but I don't see how you say it won't happen under any circumstance. What if Witten retires? Or gets hurt?

[captain caveman]

Funny this topic came up. I wavered him after watching that game. I really like what I saw.

[maxhyde]

Got him super cheap in a startup, I'm talking lottery pick rounds. I'm pumped, just has to keep learning and practice hard, sky is the limit!

*Top 10 next year is not happening under any circumstance though. That's a little too much wishful thinking IMO

Sure it's a bit bold but I don't see how you say it won't happen under any circumstance. What if Witten retires? Or gets hurt?

Swaim will run as the primary TE. Rico is a athletic project for now and has alot to learn. Think of an Engram/Njoku but less experience playing TE. Demarcus Ware was talking about last night during the game a little. Excited...certainly...but ready to be a lead TE on a team...not really close.

[Phaded]

Have him stashed in my 2TE league.

Here's hoping you are right.

[pokerface40]

When I posted this in the wee hours of the morning I also put him on the trade block in two of my leagues to gauge interest (keeping him in my TE premium). Just snap-accepted this:

Give: Rico
Receive: 2018 2nd (looks to be early)

[_yeti]

.5 ppr league, but 1 point ppr for TEs. Team in sig.

Opposing team has Brate, Barnidge, Gathers, Walford, Jesse James (so TE needy imo).

Got rejected with no counter:
I give: Clay, Maxx
I get: Gathers

Thought it was a fair offer. Hype train left the building? Thoughts?

[_yeti]

When I posted this in the wee hours of the morning I also put him on the trade block in two of my leagues to gauge interest (keeping him in my TE premium). Just snap-accepted this:

Give: Rico
Receive: 2018 2nd (looks to be early)

The leader of the fan club has bailed! No, I think you definitely win this. He has a ton of potential but with a 2nd you can grab someone with much less bust risk

[Goirish374]

I've been banging the drum for a while offline. Happy to sign up.

It is reasonable to attach significant value to whatever warm body is being Witten...if that player happens to actually be more talented than Escobar, that can only be gravy.

[Chris_R]

I picked him up in every league I was in because he has way too many positives to ignore. Witten retiring soon, offense that features the TE, young QB to grow with, and dripping with upside. I knew once the pre season games started he wouldn't be available long. This kid is about to blow up in 2018, he's looking very good to still be a year away from his big opportunity. I've been quiet about him all off season but now that I have him in every league I feel confident talking about how good I think he can be.

For a guy who hasn't really played football in years it's scary how fast he's picking it up and he looks incredibly well put together running and jumping at this size. The rebounding rebounding background comes alive.