Dallas Cowboys: Don’t sleep on Michael Gallup this season

Don’t forget about the potential Michael Gallup brings to the Dallas Cowboys’ offense.

Many pundits believe that the Dallas Cowboys drafting CeeDee Lamb at No. 17 overall was the steal of the 2020 NFL Draft. I don’t think anyone expected him to fall that far but he did and fans are understandably excited for what he adds to this already explosive offense.

Aside from Dak Prescott contract negotiations, much of the talk surrounding the Dallas Cowboys this offseason has been centered on Lamb’s potential. We’re talking about getting potentially the best receiver in the NFL Draft, someone who has drawn comparisons to DeAndre Hopkins and Davante Adams. This is a guy with “franchise star” written all over him.

And in the midst of all the excitement surrounding Lamb, there’s another incredibly talented receiver on the Dallas Cowboys who has sort of fallen out of the spotlight. No, not Amari Cooper. I’m talking about Michael Gallup.

The 24-year-old wide receiver is coming off a sophomore season in which he posted some incredible numbers; 66 receptions, 1107 yards and six touchdowns. All of these were career highs which, of course, don’t carry too much weight because it was only his second season in the league.

But in his first season as a full-time starter, Gallup not only doubled his production, he proved that he can be a reliable go-to for Dak Prescott. According to Pro Football Focus, five of Gallup’s six touchdowns came while Prescott was under pressure, which was the most among wide receivers in the NFL.

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Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb may make the highlight-reel catches, but Michael Gallup has proven to be a consistent vertical threat with some big-play potential of his own. He was seventh in the NFL with 16.8 yards per reception, with only two receivers with more than 100 targets — Kenny Golladay (18.3) and Mike Evans (17.3) — averaging more. Suffice to say, he’s a home-run waiting to happen.

Now he will look to replicate his success, or even build upon it. Gallup will likely enter the season as the team’s No. 2 receiver, meaning he’ll have plenty of opportunities — even with the addition of Lamb.

Amari Cooper should continue to draw the bulk of the double teams and Lamb’s big-play potential should also worry defensive coordinators. This will take the pressure off Gallup and allow him to continue to stretch the field. If he can continue to get behind the defenders and limit his drops (13 total drops in 2019), Prescott’s continued familiarity with the third-year receiver should result in more successful connections downfield and hopefully more scoring opportunities.

Michael Gallup may never get the recognition he’s deserved in Dallas thanks to Cooper and Lamb. He’ll probably never be the marquee name in this receiving trio but he’ll continue to succeed and surprise fans and opposing defenses. Don’t sleep on Michael Gallup this season because he’s poised for another break out year.