3 players the Cowboys were right to move on from in 2024

The Dallas Cowboys are wrapping up their mandatory minicamp as they look forward to the 2024 season. New faces who arrived in free agency like Eric Kendricks and Royce Freeman are getting used to life at The Star and Ezekiel Elliott is looking to recapture his starting running back job. The rookie class of 2024 has also hit the field for the first time ready to make their marks.

With every NFL team the offseason brings in new faces but also sees several players leave through free agency or cuts. The Cowboys entered this offseason with little money to go "all in", forcing them to cut ties with key players. Letting players like Tony Pollard and Tyler Biadasz walk in free agency might not have been the best idea, but not every player on last year's team was a key starter. The Cowboys did the right thing by cutting ties with these players.

1. WR Michael Gallup

Gallup has been a fan favorite since he burst onto the scene in 2018. A third round pick out of Colorado State, he received a heavy dose of playing time as a rookie after Dez Bryant was released that offseason. Even with Cole Beasley, Terence Williams and Allen Hurns on the roster, the Cowboys did not have a true number one receiver. Gallup began to emerge from the pack.

He had a breakout game against Washington with 81 yards and the first touchdown of his career. However, Dallas needed more help and traded for Amari Cooper. With Cooper a Cowboy, Gallup became an afterthought the rest of his rookie season. He had his best year in 2019 with over 1,000 receiving yards and six touchdowns. While the Cowboys were hoping to have another dynamic duo at receiver, Gallup's career took a bad turn.

In 2021 he tore his ACL late in the season, essentially putting his career in jeopardy. Gallup would only score six more touchdowns as a Cowboy after returning from the injury and by the end of last season it was clear the team had to move on. Many questioned why he received a new contract coming off a significant injury and the Jones' paid the price. Gallup's production was far behind what CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks could give to this offense.

Dallas designated Gallup as a post-June 1st cut which saves $9.5 million in cap room. However, he will still count $8.7 million against the cap in 2025. Needless to say the team did not get their money's worth when he signed a five-year, $57 million contract before the 2022 season. Gallup did find a new home, signing a one-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders a month after he was released. This was one move the Cowboys got right this offseason, Gallup's best days are behind him and with the extra money the team could use it to pay Lamb who is due for new contract.