Rookie Michael Gallup could be set to surprise many, as he just might become the top wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys before all is said and done.
This past April, the Dallas Cowboys selected wide receiver Michael Gallup with the 17th selection in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, and by gaining the services of the 6-1, 205-pound Colorado State product, they just might have solved some of their issues at the position.
Granted, Gallup has yet to even play a preseason down for the Cowboys thus far with that taking place next weekend. For right now, though, the Cowboys seem to be excited for their new prospect.
Gallup was compared to Nelson Agholor by Lance Zierlein of NFL.com during his draft analysis, with Zierlein writing the following about the wide receiver:
"“Gallup is still a little raw, but is quickly fine-tuning his game and may have the ability to become a good WR2 in the league.”"
If that is the case, consider that an excellent start for the Cowboys as they are regrouping at the wide receiver spot with no clear-cut WR1 on their roster. They do have some talented wide receivers who can play a solid and productive role within the run-first type of offense that is sure to be centered around third-year running back Ezekiel Elliott in 2018.
Playing two years in the Mountain West Conference while at Colorado State, Gallup totaled 26 games, with 13 games played each season. In 2017 as a senior, Gallup caught 100 passes for 1,418 yards and had seven touchdowns. Gallup averaged 14.2 yards per reception. In his junior season, Gallup also went over 1,000 yards receiving with 76 receptions for 1,272 yards and 14 touchdowns. In the ’16 season, Gallup averaged 16.7 yards per reception.
Going back to the present and a peek into training camp, Gallup is impressing some by getting first-team reps. Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News is reporting the following on Gallup at Cowboys training camp:
"“Gallup, the third-round pick out of Colorado State, responded right away Saturday by catching a few passes from Dak Prescott during the first padded practice of camp. He even beat cornerback Byron Jones on a nice inside cut in team drills.”"
George then wrote that on the following day that Gallup “looked more like a rookie.”
Having a wide receiver like Gallup on the roster is exciting for the reason that he’s helping bring change to the roster, and we all know last year the offense was a bit stale and off, compared to what we’ve seen in the past under Dak Prescott and Elliott.
Will Gallup become the WR1 for the Cowboys in 2018? That is the million-dollar question so to speak, but if he stays on track, Gallup will most likely be a big target for Prescott this upcoming season, and who knows? If he performs well enough, maybe he can outperform the WR2 tag he received during the NFL Draft process and take over the role once held by Dez Bryant.
Only time will tell, but having Gallup on the roster is a positive. Even more so, the excitement he can possibly bring to the table can only help Prescott overcome some of the woes he had at quarterback last season, which is just as important for the Cowboys this season as well.