How the Dallas Cowboys can replace Michael Gallup
Michael Gallup is one of multiple Dallas Cowboys wide receivers that could be on the way out of town this offseason. Gallup, much like Cedrick Wilson, Noah Brown, and Malik Turner, is seeking a new contract. Additionally, there is growing speculation that the Cowboys could move on from Amari Cooper in a cap-saving move. Therefore, […]
Michael Gallup is one of multiple Dallas Cowboys wide receivers that could be on the way out of town this offseason.
Gallup, much like Cedrick Wilson, Noah Brown, and Malik Turner, is seeking a new contract. Additionally, there is growing speculation that the Cowboys could move on from Amari Cooper in a cap-saving move.
Therefore, the Cowboys wide receiver corps could look a whole lot different next season. Aside from CeeDee Lamb, no wideout seems to be safe on the roster for Week 1 of the 2022 schedule.
Focusing on Gallup specifically, the former Colorado State star has tricky free agent value. On one hand, Gallup emerged from a Day Two selection into one of the better secondary options in the NFL. On the other, he is coming off a season-ending knee injury in a season where he hardly played.
Spotrac projects Gallup to have a value of an $11.8M annual salary on the open market. That would be in line with what Corey Davis signed for last season, to put things into perspective.
If the Cowboys opt to revamp the wide receiver room, it might be a smart idea to let Gallup walk. As good as Gallup has been with the Cowboys, it is not like he is an irreplaceable weapon in the passing game.
Instead, the Cowboys would be smart to re-sign Cedrick Wilson, who played largely well when filling in for Gallup in big stretches of the 2021 season, and add a weapon or two through the draft.
Wilson is projected to have a much more affordable market value of $6.4M per year. That would save the Cowboys some money while also retaining a player that is familiar with Dak Prescott and Kellen Moore.
THROUGH THE DRAFT
Wide receiver talent has grown more and more in recent years. Every year, teams are able to find instant-impact contributors at the position outside of the first-round.
Gallup, for instance, was a late Day Two selection himself.
This year's draft class provides another impressive group of wideouts for teams to target throughout the draft. As many as 14 receivers make the cut in Dane Brugler's top-100 prospects.
Gallup is an outside receiver that can stretch the field and make tough, contested catches. Therefore, the Cowboys would need to target players with similar skill sets when looking to fill that void.
A few receivers that would make sense in that role would include Chris Olave from Ohio State in the first-round, George Pickens of Georgia in round two, and Christian Watson out of North Dakota State in the third.
Point being, the Dallas Cowboys should have plenty of options to add a wideout or two throughout the draft. Replacing Cooper would be a bit tougher, but the Cowboys can find a player through the draft to fill the void that Gallup would leave in the offense.
There is always a chance that the Dallas Cowboys bring Gallup back, of course. He is well-liked in the organization and has a close relationship with Prescott.
That said, there are plenty of cost-effective options for the Cowboys to consider if Gallup does leave in free agency.
Featured image via Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
