Michael Gallup, a former Dallas Cowboys wideout, was an underrated signing for the Las Vegas Raiders and general manager Tom Telesco. Are fans sleeping on him?
2019 and 2020 seem like a lifetime ago; those were Gallup’s best seasons in Dallas. He recorded almost 2,000 receiving yards (1,950) during that run. On top of that, he hauled in 11 touchdowns while maintaining an average of almost 16 yards per reception (15.6). It was quite an impressive showing, but then injuries took a toll on Gallup. While he still appeared in 17 games in 2023, he was far removed from his dominant two-year run. Suddenly becoming expendable, Jerry Jones and Co. decided he was expendable; now, he’s in the Silver and Black after a rather under-the-radar signing.
Can Michael Gallup find a place with the Raiders offense?
If you recall, the Raiders boasted one of the highest-paid wide receiver groups in the NFL last year. Still, it wasn’t enough—we could argue who’s to blame all day. Regardless, Telesco decided adding more firepower was one solution; the team also brought in Luke Getsy to take over offensive coordinator duties. Not only did Telesco sign Gallup, but he also drafted Brock Bowers, adding both to a unit already featuring Davante Adams, Michael Mayer, and Jakobi Meyers.
As fans, say what you will, but Edgar Bennett (the Raiders receiver’s coach) is working with Gallup day-to-day. In case you missed it, he shed some praise on Gallup this offseason, citing his ability to separate (something he wasn’t doing much in Dallas the last two years).
“He can create separation. He seems like another guy who can kind of move around as far as playing a number of different positions. But his ability to catch the football creates separation. Those things stand out.”
Who knows? Maybe Raiders fans aren’t sleeping on him at all. Perhaps he is just a “training camp” body and nothing more?
*Top Photo: Getty Images