Fantasy Football: The Top 5 Rookie Wide Receivers for 2018
2. Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys
ADP: 13.11 (WR58)
Projected Fantasy Points: 70.19 (WR63)
If you haven't been totally tuned in here or anywhere else during the NFL offseason, you might be asking yourself, "Who in the world is Michael Gallup?"
Following a year at community college, Gallup played only two seasons -- his junior and senior years -- at Colorado State. While in Fort Collins, the 6'1", 205-pound receiver followed up a debut season of 1,272 yards and 14 touchdowns with 100 catches, 1,418 yards and 7 scores this past year. He was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, which helped to put him on the radar for Day 2 of the draft.
After all was said and done, the Dallas Cowboys made Gallup the ninth receiver selected, taking him with the 81st overall pick in the 3rd round. The draft capital doesn't scream fantasy appeal so much as the situation and the lack of weapons in Big D does. Following the release of Dez Bryant and the retirement of Jason Witten, the Cowboys are in search of producers in the receiving game, and Gallup joins a lengthy list of unproven commodities.
Outside of the rookie, Dallas retained Cole Beasley and Terrance Williams while adding Tavon Austin via trade and both Deonte Thompson and Allen Hurns in free agency. After Bryant, Williams came in second on Dallas last season with 568 yards but absent a score as Beasley dipped to 36 catches and 314 yards. Austin and Thompson, both speed guys, may be used in specialty roles with Hurns as the clear-cut leader of the receiving corps.
Competing with mainly low-volume players for the 219 combined targets vacated by Bryant (132) and Witten (87), Gallup could see a decent chunk of volume right away. If he's able to keep up his rapport with Dak Prescott, he could exceed our projections (39 catches, 514 yards and 3.3 touchdowns) with additional opportunities.
As the Cowboys receiver to own, Gallup is a great late-round flier in standard drafts and an undervalued pick in best-ball leagues. And if we're talking dynasty, you could do a lot worse than Gallup (WR52) at his 11th-round price tag.
