With free agency looming, roster turnover isn't far away. However, a significant portion of the 2020 roster is already in place. In the coming weeks, DallasCowboys.com will feature players who are currently under contract for next season, analyzing their past season and their future prospects.
Today, we begin the series with wide receiver Michael Gallup.
What's Been Good:
While the Cowboys' offense was inconsistent throughout the season, Gallup had essentially the breakout year that fans were hoping for him in his sophomore campaign. Despite having mid-season knee surgery that cost him three games, Gallup still managed 1,107 yards in 2019. He also capped off the season with a glimpse of his play making abilities in a three-touchdown game against the Washington Redskins, including two of the most impressive offensive highlights of the Cowboys' season.
What's Been Bad:
Gallup's second season was definitely impressive, but the transition from young playmaker to Pro Bowl-caliber receiver means eliminating inconsistency. There was a pretty drastic discrepancy between his five most productive games and his five least productive games in 2019. He had a number of drops and failed to make some key plays including in a crucial Week 16 loss to the Eagles. It's somewhat reasonable to attribute this to growing pains, and it's certainly promising that he managed such high production despite his injury and sporadic inconsistency.
What's Next:
Gallup is one of the brightest spots on the Cowboys roster. He was good last season and it's reasonable to assume he'll be better in 2019. Last year, he and Amari Cooper each accumulated 1,000-yard seasons with Dak Prescott. The Cowboys have expressed that their goal is to bring back Prescott, Cooper, and Randall Cobb. Gallup will be back regardless. If all of those players return and Mike McCarthy adds a creative flair to the gameplan, then Gallup's next step forward could make the Cowboys' offense the most dangerous in the NFL.
