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Dallas Cowboys: Michael Gallup’s rookie season was worse than you think

By Steven Mullenax

ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 30: Michael Gallup #13 of the Dallas Cowboys goes up for a pass against Darius Slay #23 of the Detroit Lions in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium on September 30, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 30: Michael Gallup #13 of the Dallas Cowboys goes up for a pass against Darius Slay #23 of the Detroit Lions in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium on September 30, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images
Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images /

Although he’s thought to be an up-and-coming wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys, Michael Gallup really struggled to make catches his rookie season.

Despite releasing their top wide receiver, Dez Bryant, just prior to 2018 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys choose to wait until the third round to address that pressing need. With the 81st overall selection in last year’s draft, the Cowboys chose wide receiver Michael Gallup out of Colorado State.

And the selection was generally praised as Gallup had racked up an incredible 176 receptions for 2,685 yards and 21 touchdowns during his two-year stint with the Rams. Touted as an excellent route runner with above average ball skills, the biggest concerns about the young wideout coming out of college was his lack of top end speed. Still, it felt like Dallas might have found themselves a gem in the third round.

During training camp, Gallup flashed potential making jaw-dropping catches that left onlookers swooning. But he’d also remind you he was a rookie with drops and focus issues. In the preseason, Gallup made his presence felt early with a 30-yard touchdown in his very first exhibition game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Yet during the start of the regular season itself, Gallup all but disappeared. Through the Cowboys first six games, the rookie never recorded more than two receptions in a single contest. And he didn’t record more than three catches in a game through Week 12.

But there is certainly some reason for optimism as Gallup posted his best game in Dallas’ final contest of last season, a playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The rookie recorded six catches off of nine targets for 119 yards.

Yet, when we review his first year altogether, Gallup’s catch percentage of 48.5 was the worst of all the Cowboys’ receivers in 2018. In fact, the only offensive player with a worse catch percentage and who was targeted more than once last season was former basketball player-turned-tight end Rico Gathers. Gathers was only targeted total seven times all year and caught three passes.

But how does Gallup’s rookie season compare to some of the other rookies selected in the 2018 NFL Draft? Let’s break it down …

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