Dallas Cowboys: Does Michael Gallup have to step up as a rookie?
The Dallas Cowboys selected Michael Gallup in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Though there is work to be done, does he need to be the top wide receiver for the team this season for success to follow?
Relying on a third-round pick at wide receiver to be one of the top players on an offensive line that should be more oriented in 2018 just might be the focus of the Dallas Cowboys this upcoming season, as Michael Gallup could be the player the Cowboys need to step up the most from the wide receiver depth chart.
Gallup, who was the 17th pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, stands at 6-1 and weighed in at 205 pounds at the time he was selected from Colorado State in late April. Having speed with a 4.51-second 40-yard dash and a 36-inch vertical jump, Gallup should see reps at wide receiver this season. If the Cowboys are so lucky, he could become the top wide receiver on the roster in his first season.
There is potential on the roster of the Cowboys with Gallup, but with others, basically the offense knows what they’ll receive with the likes of Terrance Williams, Deonte Thompson and most likely with Allen Hurns, Cole Beasley and Tavon Austin.
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
But with Gallup and even to a certain degree Cedrick Wilson there is some untapped potential and even more so a lot of unknown with them as neither has yet to take a snap in the NFL.
For Cowboys fans, the unknown of Gallup should bring excitement, because upon second glance, following all of the the glitz of the NFL Draft itself, seeing Gallup’s name on the roster of the Cowboys is a sight to behold and one that could really bring great results if things go correctly within the offense in 2018.
What Gallup brings to the Cowboys’ offense is not only the aforementioned excitement and potential that fans have and might expect from him, but Gallup is also catching the attention of teammates, especially on the defensive side of the ball, which includes cornerback Chidobe Awuzie.
In an interview by the Ben and Skin Show on 105.3 The Fan (transcribed by The Dallas Morning News), Awuzie spoke highly of the rookie wide receiver as mini camp wrapped up:
"“He’s a very cerebral guy. He knows how to get off the ball, not a lot of receivers know how to get off press consistently. He’s one of those guys that does. He’s definitely at high-pointing that ball and locating it in the air … I’m looking for him this year to earn his star, earn his respect and make some plays.”"
Though Awuzie is speaking about his teammate, Gallup could end up becoming the real deal and become a force for the Cowboys next season and in seasons to come. Look at how well Gallup played at the collegiate level last season and during his career at Colorado State.
In two seasons, he had 176 receptions for 2,690 yards and 21 touchdowns. In 2016, Gallup made 76 receptions for 1,272 yards and 14 touchdowns, and last season he totaled 100 receptions for 1,418 yards and seven touchdowns. Gallup also averaged 15.3 yards per reception in his two seasons at Colorado State.
It will be exciting to see Gallup progress from this point of the offseason to when Week 1 arrives. Can he become a big contributor for the offense in year one? If the answer is yes, then the answer to the next question should be yes as well … Do the Cowboys need Gallup to break out and be a player of importance in his first season?
Next: Will Ezekiel Elliott become rushing champ again in 2018?
If Gallup can become a top wide receiver on this roster, then that means the offense will be running on all cylinders, which should take the Cowboys back to the postseason after a one-year absence.