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Dallas Cowboys: Why Michael Gallup should be a starter

By Steven Mullenax

FORT COLLINS, CO - OCTOBER 1: Wide receiver Michael Gallup #4 of the Colorado State Rams applies a stiff arm to safety Andrew Wingard #28 of the Wyoming Cowboys as he is forced out of bounder after making a reception during the second quarter at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Fort Collins, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
FORT COLLINS, CO - OCTOBER 1: Wide receiver Michael Gallup #4 of the Colorado State Rams applies a stiff arm to safety Andrew Wingard #28 of the Wyoming Cowboys as he is forced out of bounder after making a reception during the second quarter at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Fort Collins, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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The Dallas Cowboys spent a third round selection to draft wide receiver Michael Gallup. And I believe he should be a starter for this team in his rookie season.

The Dallas Cowboys wide receiver corps experienced a major shakeup this offseason. Gone are stalwart veterans in wide out Dez Bryant and tight end Jason Witten, the two most targeted players on the roster last season. And the current longest tenured Cowboy receivers on the depth chart, Terrance Williams and Cole Beasley are both coming off questionable performances.

Despite recording a career-high 53 receptions in 2018, Williams failed to score a single touchdown last season. He also suffered a broken foot earlier this year that sidelined him during all OTA’s and minicamp. Williams is also dealing with a recent arrest for public intoxication and leaving the scene of an accident.

That leaves Beasley as the veteran leader of this group right now. The 29-year old was considered by many to be one of the top slot receivers in the NFL two years ago. But Beasley struggled last season, recording only 36 receptions, his lowest catch total since his rookie year.

With question marks up and down this receiver depth chart, the Cowboys front office sprung into action this offseason. Dallas signed veterans Allen Hurns and Deonte Thompson via free agency. They traded for Los Angeles Rams’ speedy playmaker Tavon Austin. And the Cowboys used draft picks to select Colorado State’s Michael Gallup (third round) and Boise State’s Cedrick Wilson (sixth round).

This new influx of talent means the Cowboys should field a new starter or two this upcoming season. And based on some of the hype coming out of OTA’s and minicamp, Gallup could be one of them.

"“What I like about [Gallup] is he strains through everything and comes back,” Sanjay Lal told DallasCowboys.com. “It’s not always perfect. You see the athletic traits. But he’ll come back. He’s becoming self aware … once he’s self aware he can self correct. And then he can make a big jump. So I am encouraged that he fights through stuff.”"

Gallup could end up self-correcting enough to earn himself a starting role on this revamped Cowboys offense when the regular season kicks off. And I honestly think Dallas should give the rookie every chance to do so.

The 6-foot-1, 205 pound receiver had incredible production coming out of college, posting a ridiculous 176 catches for 2,685 and 21 touchdowns in 26 games with the Rams. And early on during OTA’s, Gallup has flashed the traits that made him a coveted prospect in the draft.

Many seem to believe the likely starting three in Dallas will be Hurns, Williams and Beasley. My main contention would be giving Terrance back his starting role based on experience alone. During his five seasons with the Cowboys, Williams has been widely inconsistent and tends to disappear for large stretches of the season. Throw in his recent injury and arrest, and some believe the 28-year old would have trouble making the active roster in Dallas if not for his current contract.

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Clearly, Michael Gallup will need to prove he’s worthy of such a promotion this summer. But if he does, the fact Terrance Williams has more experience should not be the deciding factor as to whether Gallup overtakes him as a starter or not. All things being equal, give the rookie the nod and invest in the future. Because we’ve all had five years to figure out what kind of player Terrance Williams is.

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