The Dallas Cowboys waited until the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft to select wide receiver Michael Gallup, but he’ll now be their most critical rookie.
When the Dallas Cowboys came on the clock with the No. 19 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, every receiver available in the class remained on the board. The Cowboys could have selected Calvin Ridley, D.J. Moore or even traded down and taken Courtland Sutton. Instead, they went with Leighton Vander Esch. And in Round 2, they chose to wait again as they selected Connor Williams.
The selections of Vander Esch and Williams give Dallas two first-round caliber players at positions of need. What’s more, these players will slot in and likely play big roles for the Cowboys right away. However, it will be the wide receiver that they finally selected in Round 3, Michael Gallup out of Colorado State, that will play the most crucial role for Dallas as a rookie.
For many, being able to nab Gallup in the third round is a blessing for Dallas. The Colorado State product was a second-round talent to many experts and was tremendously productive throughout his collegiate career. However, a lack of elite athleticism and speed caused him to slip a bit as the draft progressed.
Throughout his junior and senior seasons with the Rams, Gallup put up 176 receptions for 2,690 yards and 21 touchdowns. His stock continued to rise throughout the draft process, especially after an impressive week at the Senior Bowl where he truly shined. But again, a mundane workout at the Combine somewhat stifled him from rising much higher on draft boards.
What Gallup does bring to the table, however, is exceptional route-running, hands and the ability to make plays. What’s more, he’s a tough runner after the catch that proves on film that he’s not just going to fall to the turf after making the catch. And while he may not be a prototype No. 1 receiver, the traits he does possess are ones that project him to be a productive wide receiver in this league — and the Cowboys need some of that right away.
With the release of Dez Bryant and then the retirement of Jason Witten, Dak Prescott’s weaponry is less than ideal right now. There are talented players like free-agent addition Allen Hurns, veteran Terrance Williams and Cole Beasley, in addition to running backs Ezekiel Elliott, Tavon Austin and Rod Smith. However, there is clearly no dominant primary pass-catcher in the offense.
The Cowboys won’t ask Gallup to be that. However, what they will ask the receiving corps to do is to combine to be an effective unit. Without the rookie contributing at a high level in his first NFL season, that won’t necessarily be possible. Thus, Gallup’s immediate production in Dallas is vital to the balance and overall success of the offense.
Gallup may not be an immediate superstar, nor may he have the upside of LVE or Williams, but the role that the Colorado State alum will play in Dallas is far more important. The Cowboys will be a run-first team, without question. But running the ball is much more effective when the passing game is able to play off it with play-action and simply keeping the defensive play-callers guessing.
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And for Prescott and the Cowboys to move the ball through the air giving the group of pass-catchers they have on the roster, they’ll need Gallup to be a sizable part of that. His contributions could determine the overall success of the offense.