If there is one Cowboys position group surrounded by question marks heading into the 2018 season, it’s their wide receivers.
By releasing veteran wide out and franchise receiving touchdown leader Dez Bryant, hiring a new wide receivers coach in Sanjay Lal, and completely turning over the rest of the room through the draft and free agency, the Cowboys have looked to add new blood to a group considered pedestrian a year ago.
Of course, the addition of Allen Hurns caught the eyes of many fans around the league, but it’s the Cowboys third round draft pick which is receiving the most praise thus far.
Former Colorado State wide out Michael Gallup was one of “my guys” in this draft class, and by selecting him in the third round the Cowboys got an absolute steal. With Bryant gone Gallup will have the chance to prove himself and earn a lot of playing time early on.
And, by the looks of it, coach Sanjay Lal is already noticing Michael Gallup’s abilities.
Cowboys WRs coach Sanjay Lal on rookie WR Michael Gallup: "I like the violence with which he plays. He plays like a man. Very similar [to Dez Bryant]. Dez is bigger, but Michael can get bigger & stronger, but he plays with that kind of style. As he matures he’ll be even better."
— Brandon George (@DMN_George) May 31, 2018
Lal told the Dallas media this week that he’s impressed with what Gallup has shown thus far in OTAs and on his college film. Lal said that Gallup “plays like a man” and that he loves the “violence” which Gallup brings to the table.
What caught many by surprise, however, was who Sanjay Lal decided to compare Michael Gallup to; none other than that former Cowboys star Dez Bryant.
Personally, I think Gallup is a more polished route runner than Bryant, and has the ability to separate from coverage better than Bryant at this stage of his career. Still, though, when you consider Gallup’s physicality and strong hands at the catch point the comparison does make a lot of sense.
Both Michael Gallup and Dez Bryant are never scared to play in traffic, and show off an excellent catch radius. No matter where the ball is thrown, Gallup typically has a chance to make a play on it.
The odds of Michael Gallup becoming the star playmaker for the Cowboys that Dez Bryant was may seem slim, but Gallup possesses all of the tools to be this team’s best receiver in year one. Sure, he’s just a rookie, but look for Michael Gallup to put the rest of the receivers and this league on notice in 2018.
