The Facts: Gathers spent his rookie season on the Cowboys’ practice squad. He spent his second season on injured reserve. He has big plans for his third season. “Facts is facts,” Gathers said on Instagram. “It’s only the beginning. Truth is I’m ready for more. Been ready for more. The dilemma of me not being ready is over. ... I told myself ‘Ima be the next best tight end in this league’ and I believe that with all my heart."

Diehards Line: Gathers, the Baylor basketball player who the Cowboys made a sixth-round pick in 2016, showed signs of development during the 2017 preseason. He caught three passes for 59 yards and a touchdown in the Hall of Fame Game against the Cardinals and four passes for 47 yards and a touchdown against the Rams the following week. Gathers' comments came after he watched film of those two games. Gathers took a helmet-to-helmet hit from defensive back Kavon Frazier during an August 15 practice, and the concussion ended his season before it began.