Is it realistic to think we can keep Gallup after this year?

Bobhaze

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Going into the 2021 season, the Cowboys have what could be considered “a good problem”. We arguably have one of the top 3 WR combos in the NFL- Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup and Cedee Lamb. And with Michael Gallup going into the final year of his rookie deal, he has every incentive to have a great year.

In fact, could 2021 see the Cowboys have three 1,000 yard receivers? It’s not out of the question though it hasn’t happened in 13 years. The Cardinals in 2008 were the last NFL team to have three 1,000-yard receivers. That season Larry Fitzgerald (1,431), Anquan Boldin (1,038) and Steve Breaston (1,006) did it. And it’s interesting that the Cards went to the Super Bowl that year.

But back to Michael Gallup. Is it realistic to think the Cowboys can afford to keep him, assuming he has a typical year for him? I doubt it- UNLESS- they decide to release Amari Cooper and his $20 million a yr contract, which I think is a strong possibility. Barring injury, if Gallup has the kind of year he has typically had or better, he’s going to garner a big deal.

Let’s look at some stat numbers on Gallup and how he compares:
  • In 3 seasons as a Cowboy, Gallup has averaged 52 receptions for 819 yards, and 4 TDs.
  • In 3 seasons, Gallup averages a very impressive 15.6 yards per reception. (Compare that to Amari Cooper’s career avg of 13.8 per reception- 13.5 since he’s been in Dallas.
  • In 3 seasons, Gallup averages a very respectable 53 yards per game. (The 7 years Cole Beasley was in Dallas, he avg about 32 yards per game)
  • In 2019, Gallup’s yards per target was a very respectable 9.8. (About what Coop’s was in 2019)
Here’s where I’m going with all this info:
  • In 2021, If Michael Gallup has even an average year for him, IMO he will be in big demand on the NFL FA open market.
  • Look at the money Cole Beasley got in Buffalo with numbers considerably lower than Gallup’s. Beasley signed a 4 year, $29 mil contract with Buffalo, including a $6 million signing bonus, $14.4 million guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $7.25 mil. Gallup will certainly garner a lot more than that.
  • Look at what former Lion WR Kenny Golladay got from NYG this year- 4 yrs, $72 million, avg $18 mil a season. His stats are very similar to Gallup.
CONCLUSION: If Michael Gallup has a typical year or something better (and I think he will) He’s not going to want to sign a “team friendly” deal here. Period. The only way Michael Gallup is here next year is if Amari Cooper is not and the Cowboys pay him market value.

As stated earlier- this is a “good problem” for the Cowboys.
Your thoughts?
 

CouchCoach

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They would have to trade Cooper or Lamb. They wanted to keep Alvin Harper but couldn't.

Some think he's not a #1 but he could be for some teams and why would he want to cut the Cowboys a deal?

I think the Cowboys are making a mistake by not sampling the market for Gallup the rest of this season. Get something for him.
 

Bobhaze

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They would have to trade Cooper or Lamb. They wanted to keep Alvin Harper but couldn't.

Some think he's not a #1 but he could be for some teams and why would he want to cut the Cowboys a deal?

I think the Cowboys are making a mistake by not sampling the market for Gallup the rest of this season. Get something for him.
I should have listed trading Gallup as a possibility in the OP. I think that could still happen, depending on how the season goes. If we have a slow or disappointing start, it would make some sense or if we get off to a great start and feel someone like Wilson or the rookie Fohoko can be relevant that could happen too.

One thing’s for sure- Unless LVE OR Connor Williams have a huge year, Gallup will be seen as the diamond of the 2018 draft. Going to be interesting to watch.
 

CWR

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Going into the 2021 season, the Cowboys have what could be considered “a good problem”. We arguably have one of the top 3 WR combos in the NFL- Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup and Cedee Lamb. And with Michael Gallup going into the final year of his rookie deal, he has every incentive to have a great year.

In fact, could 2021 see the Cowboys have three 1,000 yard receivers? It’s not out of the question though it hasn’t happened in 13 years. The Cardinals in 2008 were the last NFL team to have three 1,000-yard receivers. That season Larry Fitzgerald (1,431), Anquan Boldin (1,038) and Steve Breaston (1,006) did it. And it’s interesting that the Cards went to the Super Bowl that year.

But back to Michael Gallup. Is it realistic to think the Cowboys can afford to keep him, assuming he has a typical year for him? I doubt it- UNLESS- they decide to release Amari Cooper and his $20 million a yr contract, which I think is a strong possibility. Barring injury, if Gallup has the kind of year he has typically had or better, he’s going to garner a big deal.

Let’s look at some stat numbers on Gallup and how he compares:
  • In 3 seasons as a Cowboy, Gallup has averaged 52 receptions for 819 yards, and 4 TDs.
  • In 3 seasons, Gallup averages a very impressive 15.6 yards per reception. (Compare that to Amari Cooper’s career avg of 13.8 per reception- 13.5 since he’s been in Dallas.
  • In 3 seasons, Gallup averages a very respectable 53 yards per game. (The 7 years Cole Beasley was in Dallas, he avg about 32 yards per game)
  • In 2019, Gallup’s yards per target was a very respectable 9.8. (About what Coop’s was in 2019)
Here’s where I’m going with all this info:
  • In 2021, If Michael Gallup has even an average year for him, IMO he will be in big demand on the NFL FA open market.
  • Look at the money Cole Beasley got in Buffalo with numbers considerably lower than Gallup’s. Beasley signed a 4 year, $29 mil contract with Buffalo, including a $6 million signing bonus, $14.4 million guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $7.25 mil. Gallup will certainly garner a lot more than that.
  • Look at what former Lion WR Kenny Golladay got from NYG this year- 4 yrs, $72 million, avg $18 mil a season. His stats are very similar to Gallup.
CONCLUSION: If Michael Gallup has a typical year or something better (and I think he will) He’s not going to want to sign a “team friendly” deal here. Period. The only way Michael Gallup is here next year is if Amari Cooper is not and the Cowboys pay him market value.

As stated earlier- this is a “good problem” for the Cowboys.
Your thoughts?

The only way I see us moving forward with Gallup is if we move away from Coop. It's still possible, but very unlikely imo.
 

DoctorChicken

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I don’t think we can, or should. He’ll cost too much.

I was advocating for trading him for a pick before the draft - a second round pick could have been used to replace him on the cheap, or add more defensive help and we could have rolled with Cooper and Lamb.
 

CowboysFaninHouston

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Going into the 2021 season, the Cowboys have what could be considered “a good problem”. We arguably have one of the top 3 WR combos in the NFL- Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup and Cedee Lamb. And with Michael Gallup going into the final year of his rookie deal, he has every incentive to have a great year.

In fact, could 2021 see the Cowboys have three 1,000 yard receivers? It’s not out of the question though it hasn’t happened in 13 years. The Cardinals in 2008 were the last NFL team to have three 1,000-yard receivers. That season Larry Fitzgerald (1,431), Anquan Boldin (1,038) and Steve Breaston (1,006) did it. And it’s interesting that the Cards went to the Super Bowl that year.

But back to Michael Gallup. Is it realistic to think the Cowboys can afford to keep him, assuming he has a typical year for him? I doubt it- UNLESS- they decide to release Amari Cooper and his $20 million a yr contract, which I think is a strong possibility. Barring injury, if Gallup has the kind of year he has typically had or better, he’s going to garner a big deal.

Let’s look at some stat numbers on Gallup and how he compares:
  • In 3 seasons as a Cowboy, Gallup has averaged 52 receptions for 819 yards, and 4 TDs.
  • In 3 seasons, Gallup averages a very impressive 15.6 yards per reception. (Compare that to Amari Cooper’s career avg of 13.8 per reception- 13.5 since he’s been in Dallas.
  • In 3 seasons, Gallup averages a very respectable 53 yards per game. (The 7 years Cole Beasley was in Dallas, he avg about 32 yards per game)
  • In 2019, Gallup’s yards per target was a very respectable 9.8. (About what Coop’s was in 2019)
Here’s where I’m going with all this info:
  • In 2021, If Michael Gallup has even an average year for him, IMO he will be in big demand on the NFL FA open market.
  • Look at the money Cole Beasley got in Buffalo with numbers considerably lower than Gallup’s. Beasley signed a 4 year, $29 mil contract with Buffalo, including a $6 million signing bonus, $14.4 million guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $7.25 mil. Gallup will certainly garner a lot more than that.
  • Look at what former Lion WR Kenny Golladay got from NYG this year- 4 yrs, $72 million, avg $18 mil a season. His stats are very similar to Gallup.
CONCLUSION: If Michael Gallup has a typical year or something better (and I think he will) He’s not going to want to sign a “team friendly” deal here. Period. The only way Michael Gallup is here next year is if Amari Cooper is not and the Cowboys pay him market value.

As stated earlier- this is a “good problem” for the Cowboys.
Your thoughts?
the question is will we need to? I would love to be 6 deep at every position, but with the salary cap, it may not be possible. we will see at the end of the year, as there is a lot to be played out... so what happens with Amari as you mentioned, more injuries? we structured him such that we can cut ties in 2022. then perhaps sign Gallup in his place....it also depends on the young guns, like Wilson and if Fehoko shows a little something that would make us hopefull (ala Gallup in his rookie year). he may become not affordable since someone may over pay and put him out of reach. being three deep, at WR is a luxuary these days.
 

CWR

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I should have listed trading Gallup as a possibility in the OP. I think that could still happen, depending on how the season goes. If we have a slow or disappointing start, it would make some sense or if we get off to a great start and feel someone like Wilson or the rookie Fohoko can be relevant that could happen too.

One thing’s for sure- Unless LVE OR Connor Williams have a huge year, Gallup will be seen as the diamond of the 2018 draft. Going to be interesting to watch.

He really has been a damn good Cowboy. If he had any QB consistency last year he would have been over 1k.
 

JBS

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They would have to trade Cooper or Lamb. They wanted to keep Alvin Harper but couldn't.

Some think he's not a #1 but he could be for some teams and why would he want to cut the Cowboys a deal?

I think the Cowboys are making a mistake by not sampling the market for Gallup the rest of this season. Get something for him.

Trading lamb accomplishes nothing. That's not an option
 

buybuydandavis

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CONCLUSION: If Michael Gallup has a typical year or something better (and I think he will) He’s not going to want to sign a “team friendly” deal here. Period. The only way Michael Gallup is here next year is if Amari Cooper is not and the Cowboys pay him market value.
Yep. I'd say that was nearly certain before we drafted Lamb, and certain once we did. We should have been looking to trade Gallup once we drafted Lamb. We're way over invested at WR, and underinvested at other positions.

But I'm not so sure that Gallup even gets that much attention in free agency. Lamb should *already* pass Gallup for snaps. Jarwin is back. Schultz was ok as a starter. Pollard still seems untapped to me. Cedrick was looking pretty effective. Gallup will get fewer snaps and targets.

Zeke, Cooper, Lamb, Jarwin. That's four. One more among Gallup, Schultz, Pollard, Wilson. The marginal benefit of having Gallup on the roster this year is limited. We have a lot of next men up. And that's not even counting any younger players who might emerge.

Gallup would just be worth more on a team that had fewer offensive options and needed a full time quality 2, and his trade value would be worth more *to us*. A quality full time defensive starter in trade for Gallup as a quality full time offensive starter would mean much more to us than Gallup. Longer term value, I'd be happy to get a 2nd or 3rd round draft pick.
 

buybuydandavis

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Trading lamb accomplishes nothing. That's not an option

Lamb is projected as a credible elite WR1. He's the guy that lets us move on from Cooper in the future, and still have a 1 on the roster.

You can trade anyone for enough loot, but Lamb is a long term keeper. He gets the next big WR contract.
 

J817

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I don’t think we can, or should. He’ll cost too much.

I was advocating for trading him for a pick before the draft - a second round pick could have been used to replace him on the cheap, or add more defensive help and we could have rolled with Cooper and Lamb.

I would have been fine with this as well, though with all the holes on the defense I’m not sure a 2nd round pick should have been used for his replacement. Perhaps a 3rd, 4th or a Emmanuel Sanders type FA.
 

JBS

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Lamb is projected as a credible elite WR1. He's the guy that lets us move on from Cooper in the future, and still have a 1 on the roster.

You can trade anyone for enough loot, but Lamb is a long term keeper. He gets the next big WR contract.
Correct. Aside from the fact that trading him accomplishes nothing, there is also this.
 

12+88=7

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Dallas will not keep him. As fans we can hope he has an above average season to have Dallas get a 4th or possible 3rd round comp pick in 2022. This changes if Cooper has injury or terrible year.

I believe Cedric Wilson will also be playing his last season in Dallas.

2022 WR corp are Cooper, Lamb, Fehoko, and whoever Dallas drafts or whatever undrafted free agent makes team.
 

buybuydandavis

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They would have to trade Cooper or Lamb. They wanted to keep Alvin Harper but couldn't.

Some think he's not a #1 but he could be for some teams and why would he want to cut the Cowboys a deal?

I think the Cowboys are making a mistake by not sampling the market for Gallup the rest of this season.

They made a mistake by not starting the hunt for a trade for Gallup on the day Dak went down. Gallup had a big game, with late game heroics, with a backup QB. That game was Peak Gallup. At that time, teams could still think of Gallup as a #1, based on 2019, and that strong game. Since then, he was passed up on the roster by Lamb, and his production sagged.

Gallup is a quality #2 now. To some. But I'm always very skeptical of #2s opposite a very strong #1, and good supporting skill players. Harper. Terrance. The production is more indicative of an easy row to hoe than personal talent. I don't buy into those guys.
 

buybuydandavis

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Dallas will not keep him. As fans we can hope he has an above average season to have Dallas get a 4th or possible 3rd round comp pick in 2022. This changes if Cooper has injury or terrible year.

I believe Cedric Wilson will also be playing his last season in Dallas.

2022 WR corp are Cooper, Lamb, Fehoko, and whoever Dallas drafts or whatever undrafted free agent makes team.

If they like Cedrick, they should be looking at extending him now on the cheap. He currently has 0 leverage.
 

JoeKing

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Maybe so. I'm hearing Amari Cooper is having problems with his knees and may not be ready to go when the season starts. It might be in the plans to let AC's contract run its course and not renew it. Meanwhile, they re-sign Gallup, whose contract overlaps AC's by two years and they don't miss a beat with having great WRs when Lamb's contract comes due to renew. They just roll with Gallup and Lamb as their 1A/1B WRs and let Cooper walk away. We'll have other WR talent developing well by that time as our WR3 & WR4 targets... Maybe that's Wilson, Vasher, Eagles, or Fehoko.
 
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