Not unlike most teams in the NFL, the Cowboys rely heavily on the draft as the primary avenue for improving their team. Dallas has drafted extremely well over the past few seasons under the direction of Will McClay and Stephen Jones. During this time the front office has demonstrated their propensity for selecting a certain “type” of player.
The staff here at FPC Cowboys will attempt to identify and highlight these players in a series of profiles leading up to draft day. First on the list, Colorado State wide receiver Michael Gallup.
Name: Michael Gallup
School: Colorado St.
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 200
Age: 21
Stats
2014: 780 yards 11 TDs (Butler Community College)
2015: Injured – transferred to Colorado State after the season.
2016: 76 rec. 1,272 yards 14 TDs
2017: 100 rec. 1413 yards 7 TDs
Gallup transferred to Colorado State in 2016 and wasted little time making his impact felt. He steadily improved throughout the course of his junior season, finishing the campaign with six total touchdowns in his last two games.
Carrying the momentum of the 2016 season into 2017, Gallup began his senior season with an 11 catch, 134-yard performance. He would go on to have three more double-digit reception games highlighted by a 13 catch, 263 yards, 3 touchdown game.
Profile and Fit
At 6’1″ 200 pounds, Gallup has a nice frame for the wideout position with the ability to play both outside and in the slot. With Cole Beasley and Ryan Switzer already on the roster, the Cowboys can not afford to add another slot specific type receiver. Pre-combine scouting reports seem to suggest that a lack of top-end speed will keep Gallup out of the first round. This could end up benefiting the Cowboys because despite lacking elite traits, Gallup may be the best overall wide receiver in this class.
The top graded wide receiver in the 2018 NFL draft class? Michael Gallup of course pic.twitter.com/oNeOmg0xJH
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) February 16, 2018
Gallup uses a highly diverse route tree to make up for any speed issues. With so much talk in Dallas this offseason about making the receiving corps more “Dak-friendly”, check out the passer rating when Gallup was targeted on slant routes!
Michael Gallup was impressive across the route tree in 2017 pic.twitter.com/r1fCKQkJqo
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) February 14, 2018
Gallup’s solid performance during Senior Bowl week has placed him on the first round radar. A great combine could solidify that. However, if Gallup is still there at the beginning of day two, it would behoove the Cowboys to do anything in their power to draft him. Even if that means trading up a few slots.
The Cowboys need to get more production out of the wideout position, I think most will agree with that. However, I feel that drafting one in the first round may be too rich. Likewise, drafting one in round three or later may not provide the immediate impact the team needs. Taking Michael Gallup in the second round would be the ideal scenario for the Cowboys. He has the ability to come in and make plays from day one, while also holding the potential to someday take over the top spot.
Cowboys fans can lust for this type of playmaking ability across from Dez Bryant until then.
This is why Michael Gallup was a Biletnikoff Award finalist as the nation's top receiver. #SCtop10 pic.twitter.com/YFjQdE7tpE
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 17, 2017
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