Most wide receivers on the same roster as a four-time Pro Bowler like Amari Cooper and a rookie sensation like CeeDee Lamb would be hard-pressed to make an impact. However, Michael Gallup, coming off of a 1,100-yard season in 2019, has continued to prove that he's one of the most underrated players at his position.
Certain plays in football swing momentum and get fans out of their seats. A big sack on third down or a long touchdown run fit that mold. Another play fits that narrative, the deep pass, and according to Nick Shook of NFL.com, Gallup ranks second in that category in 2020:
“Gallup leads the NFL in total go routes run with 71, and ranks third in the league in yards gained on deep receptions with 190 (on just nine total deep targets). Each of those 190 yards have been gained on go routes, with Gallup catching five of nine targets on such routes. Gallup has found the end zone on a deep target once this season, all while existing in a receiving corps that also includes Amari Cooper and rookie CeeDee Lamb, proving his ability to carve out a niche for himself among stellar teammates.”
According to Pro Football Focus, on passes over 20 yards Gallup is tied for 11th in targets (8) and tied for 5th in receptions (5) with zero drops.
Gallup isn't catching the deep ball during meaningless moments of the game, he's doing it in crunch time. In the Cowboys miraculous 20-point comeback win in Week 2 vs the Atlanta Falcons, Gallup's 38-yard reception down the sideline set up a Dak Prescott rushing touchdown that pulled the Cowboys within two points before Greg Zuerlein's game-winning field goal.
Michael Gallup is a star. pic.twitter.com/z9dcPVVwj0
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) September 21, 2020
Last Sunday vs the New York Giants, Gallup was at it again in the biggest moment. With the game tied at 34 with just under 30 seconds to play, Gallup made another huge 38-yard catch that set up another game-winning field goal by Zuerlein.
Michael Gallup is from another planet. pic.twitter.com/WvRabRzjvf
(via @NFL)— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) October 11, 2020
Cowboys star running back Ezekiel Elliott had some glowing praise about how Gallup has performed in the game's biggest moments this season.
“MG, he has done everything, he has been so clutch this year,” Elliott said last Sunday. “Just, whenever we need a play, he is there to make it.”
Gallup has continuously improved since his rookie campaign in 2018 and is slowly but surely making his claim to be mentioned amongst the NFL's best receivers.
