Building an NFL roster is tricky business. For a team to be a true contender it requires a confluence of experience, youth and a healthy dose of luck. With the salary cap limiting the amount of money a hungry owner can throw at their team’s problems, stockpiling underpaid talent is a must across the league.
For the past four seasons, the Dallas Cowboys have had the best bargain in the NFL with quarterback Dak Prescott and his contract that came along with his fourth-round draft status. With his mega-contract on the horizon, that soon will no longer be the case, however, one of his favorite targets in wide receiver Michael Gallup has become perhaps the most team-friendly asset on the roster, according to Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon.
The good contract: Four years, $3.5 million (expires in 2022)
Why it’s a bargain
With Amari Cooper headed toward free agency, it’s entirely possible Gallup will be the Cowboys’ top receiver in 2020. And there’s reason to believe the 2018 third-round pick can continue to emerge as a top-flight NFL wideout. His numbers skyrocketed in a 1,107-yard, six-touchdown sophomore campaign, and now the future looks bright ahead of his age-24 season.
Gallup’s raw numbers from 2019 look great, but it’s important to note a couple of things: he missed two games with a knee injury that required minor surgery so his gross numbers understate his performance. The other is that there were times he was inconsistent, dropping a total of 11 passes on the season. He has all the tools requisite to continue his ascension into a top-flight receiver, but will need to continue to focus on the little things that separates the wheat from the chaff.
Gallup finished the 2019 season ranked as the No. 39 receiver based on Pro Football Focus’ receiving grades. His overall play was downgraded greatly by those drops, as his 29.2 grade (on scale of 100) in the category was tied for 202nd with teammate Randall Cobb.
Gallup finished tied for 16th in deep pass catches (air yards over 20) with 11.
For your viewing pleasure, here’s a clip of Gallup’s outstanding play last season.
Here are some of the best plays from #Cowboys WR Michael Gallup in 2019: pic.twitter.com/MvXHBiten7
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) February 18, 2020
[vertical-gallery id=639523][vertical-gallery id=639104][lawrence-newsletter]