Since being drafted by the Cowboys in 2018’s third round, wide receiver Michael Gallup has been an extreme vertical threat for Dallas, totaling 158 catches for 2,457 yards and 13 touchdowns over his three years in the NFL. Now, entering the fourth and final season of his rookie deal, his current role with the team is obvious, though his future is not.
Gallup will be a free agent in 2022 and with a massive contract looming for quarterback Dak Prescott, limited cap space next year and the continued ascension of CeeDee Lamb, the Colorado State product may end up having to explore joining other teams. Why? The Cowboys likely won’t be able to afford Gallup’s price tag with Amari Cooper’s $22 million recurring cap hits on the books.
With other factors involved, Dallas may have to lose Cooper for there to be a chance that Gallup is a part of their long-term plans.
After a rookie season that saw him make eight starts, Gallup had a breakout year in his first full season alongside Amari Cooper and thrived on attacking the No. 2 corner while Cooper was getting the attention of the defense. Gallup finished with 1,107 yards that season, catching 58% of his targets.
Notably, Gallup had one of the best games of his career in Week 17 that year, totaling 98 yards and 3 touchdowns in a blowout win over Washington. He continued that upward trajectory in 2020 as he was on pace for another 1,100-yard season before Prescott’s Week 5 season-ending injury. The two will look to rekindle that magic in 2021.
Interestingly enough, the free agent market could set the tone for Gallup’s future payday as there are several interesting comparisons. Gallup could command a contract similar to what JuJu Smith-Schuster (Steelers) and Corey Davis (Titans) will be paid this summer. Smith-Schuster also has lost targets to young talent in Chase Claypool and Diontae Johnson, similar to what Gallup’s situation could be with Lamb this coming season.
According to Pro Football Focus’s free agent projections, Davis and Smith-Schuster will likely sign four-year contracts with an average of $16.25 million and $17 million respectively.
Statistically, Gallup is comparable to Tampa Bay’s Chris Godwin in his first three seasons. Both played in 46 of 48 games and averaged over 15 yards a reception as their team’s deep threat. Godwin outscored Gallup 17 touchdowns to 13, while Gallup played well in playoff opportunities Godwin didn’t get. Godwin had a magical season in Year 4 on a Super Bowl-winning Buccaneers team.
PFF, which graded out Godwin at a much higher tier than Gallup over their careers, identifies the former as a potential No. 1 receiver and earning a deal worth $22 million a year, which would put him at the top with Julio Jones.
If Gallup is able to have success in 2021 without entering the shadow of Cooper and Lamb, he could be at the top of free-agent value across the NFL. Returning to Dallas would be unlikely, considering an extreme home-grown discount would be necessary to keep the young wide receiver in town.
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