Dallas Cowboys: Don’t forget breakout star Michael Gallup

Amari Cooper has stolen the spotlight in the Dallas Cowboys world. Even news of a new tight end coming to Big D is bigger than Gallup. Don’t forget this WR.

For whatever reason, the name Alvin Harper goes undisguised at times. Who? The wide receiver who wore No. 80 for the Dallas Cowboys in the 1990s?

With Amari Cooper bursting into Dallas, the Cowboys solidified their need for a number one receiver. Prior to his arrival, America’s Team settled for a receiver committee that was lethargic and quite frankly, plain boring.

Things changed a bit after Cooper’s arrival. The fourth overall pick in 2015 finished with 53 catches and six touchdowns in nine games with The ‘Boys. In addition to his six games with the Oakland Raiders, Cooper did topple the 1,000 receiving yards mark.

With future Hall of Famer Jason Witten entrenched in the broadcasting booth, the attention strain still goes towards his replacement. Cole Beasley, a fan favorite, might be wearing another uniform in 2019.

But now isn’t the time to ruminate on what the Cowboys don’t have. Rather, now is the time to remember that the Cowboys have a young dynamic duo in Michael Gallup and Amari Cooper in the top two receiving slots.

Much like how Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch are commanding star attention in the linebacker spots, Gallup and Cooper are the answer on the opposite side of the field.

In the 1990s, the legend of Michael Irvin existed with the help of his complementary receiver, Alvin Harper. Harper may not have commanded the spotlight like “The Playmaker,” but the Cowboys felt his absence and were in a dire search for a proven number two when he left town. Because it’s always easier to excel with a number one receiver when you got a brilliant number two.

Overall, Gallup played in 18 games, including two playoff contests. He finished the year with 83 targets, 41 catches, and 644 receiving yards along with three touchdowns. Gallup’s biggest game came on the last contest against the Los Angeles Rams, where he collected six receptions for 119 yards.

Because of Gallup, the future is bright in Dallas and that’s easy to forget, much like the Alvin Harper effect. Gallup, who turns 23 on March 4, was selected in the third round in 2018. The Colorado State product should provide a big burst for the Cowboys in 2019.

Along with Amari Cooper on the opposite side of the field, quarterback Dak Prescott has another worthy weapon to look to. Best of all, the Cowboys won’t have to strain themselves in the free agency or the NFL Draft when it comes to finding talented catchers.

The Dallas Cowboys found their Alvin Harper. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.