TwoDeep3
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It's not a secret that Dallas is remaking the WR group, and this off-season was just the first step in that shuffle.
Here are some observations as we break down the position for this season and moving forward:
1. Gallup will get every and any opportunity to be a big piece of the puzzle.
2. So will Noah Brown.
3. Every other WR on the roster is playing for a job in 2019.
4. All things being equal, Wilson could get many opportunities, too.
Now, these observations aren't exactly earth-shattering, but let's dig into the logic:
Williams isn't going anywhere this season because releasing him creates more dead money that it's worth to just keep him. And he's shown that he can be a useful WR in this league, even if he hasn't earned his salary. Next season we can save 2.5M by releasing him, so if he's not a clear-cut starter by next season, he's gone. But he may just hang on to his roster spot for another season for reasons that I'm about to get into.
Hurns is essentially on a one-year prove-it deal. Unless he's our best receiver - or at least one of the obvious starters - he can be cut next season and save us $5M, with only $1M in dead money.
Beasley, Austin and Thompson only have one year left on their deals. So they are basically rentals right now (maybe rent-to-own if we decide down the line, but that's TBD).
That leaves Noah Brown and the two draft picks, Gallup and Wilson, (Lenoir is a wildcard).
So don't be surprised that if it's at all close in training camp, if we see more Brown and Gallup than even Hurns. I don't necessarily expect that to happen, but Brown, Gallup and Wilson have a much bigger chance of being a part of the long-term WR solution than Hurns does. Just by the simple economics of it.
That brings us back to Williams. It wouldn't shock me if going into 2019 we end up keeping Williams. I expect him and Hurns to be essentially competing with each other for a job, this year and next. Personally, I think Hurns might be the better receiver, but I'm not 100% certain of that, either. But with the squad likely turning over the position more next off-season, Williams could be a veteran that sticks. That's kind of a scary proposition for a guy who doesn't like to catch with his hands and is dumb enough to get drunk and wreck his Lambo, then blame it on a former college teammate.
But we probably shouldn't get too attached to Hurns, Austin and Thompson. And even Beasley is going to have to bounce back in a big way this season to have any chance of getting another contract.
I was looking forward to your comments on Gallup, but the title was a tease. Bummer.