NFL Spin Zone
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Most overrated player on every NFL team in the 2022 season

By Randy Gurzi

Jul 28, 2022; Spartanburg, SC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws during the third day of training camp at Wofford College. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 28, 2022; Spartanburg, SC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws during the third day of training camp at Wofford College. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /
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2022 NFL
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Gallup (13) catches a pass against Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Mackensie Alexander (21) in the first quarter of the NFL Week 14 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys at Paul Brown Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020. The Cowboys led 17-7 at half time.Dallas Cowboys At Cincinnati Bengals /

Dallas Cowboys: Michael Gallup, WR

Michael Gallup is a good player but the Dallas Cowboys seem to believe much more in him than others do. Dallas elected to move on from Amari Cooper this offseason, sending him to the Cleveland Browns for a mere fifth-round pick.

In need of cap space, they did this in part because they believe CeeDee Lamb is ready to be the No. 1 guy. Another reason they felt comfortable moving on from Cooper — who has been a legit No. 1 guy — is their faith in Gallup.

They proved this when they gave him a five-year $62.5 million contract this offseason before he could test the open market. While that’s not elite money for the position, it’s still a lot considering Gallup is coming off a torn ACL and won’t be ready to go in Week 1. He’s also not been able to replicate the production he had in 2019 when he broke out with 1,107 yards while averaging 16.8 yards per catch.

Dallas is clearly expecting him to bounce back to this form but that’s a major ask for a guy coming off a serious knee injury.  A better move — especially considering they have roughly $20 million left in cap space while still having $8 million of dead money assigned to Cooper — might have been to see if Gallup would sign a one-year deal to allow him to get healthy, then re-test the market.

Had they done this, perhaps they could have found a way to keep Cooper — or maybe even Cedrick Wilson who played well while Gallup was out in 2021.

Instead, they put all their chips in on Gallup and could start the season with Lamb and rookie Jalen Tolbert as their top receivers.

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