Michael Gallup, Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, and the other Cowboys receivers all dealt with franchise QB Dak Prescott’s season-ending ankle injury, which resulted in them playing musical chairs at the position for the rest of the 2020 season. This fantasy football outlook dives into Gallup’s statistical production from 2020, his current ADP, and helps paint a picture of what you can expect from him in 2021.
Michael Gallup’s fantasy outlook for 2021
Gallup should open the 2021 season as the No. 3 receiver for the Cowboys. Dallas’ offense was a juggernaut with Prescott under center prior to his injury. In the four games he finished, Prescott averaged 422.5 passing yards per game.
Gallup could see more targets and receiving air yards than you realize
There is a good chance that Gallup will finish with the third-most targets in 2021, behind Cooper and Lamb. Still, it is worth noting that all three Cowboys’ receivers could exceed 100+ targets. Furthermore, Gallup also ended last season with the most receiving air yards (1,243) amongst Dallas receivers.
Gallup will be inconsistent on a week-to-week basis, but he’ll still generate some WR1 weeks. In his three WR1 outings last year, he averaged 26 PPR fantasy points per game. He saw increased target volume after the Cowboys’ Week 10 bye week with Dalton under center.
Gallup, unfortunately, closed out the year on a quiet note. He only caught 4 of 8 targets for 49 receiving yards against the Giants in the Cowboys’ season finale. Nevertheless, Dallas is likely to lead the NFL in points scored, and the number of plays run in 2021 in an attempt to hide their defense.
The Cowboys’ defense could still be a liability
The Cowboys’ defense has made improvements this offseason but could still be tested in 2021. In addition to the teams in the NFC East, they will also face the AFC West and the NFC South. As a reminder, the Cowboys’ defense allowed the ninth-most fantasy points per game to opposing offenses in 2020. Dallas’ offensive line, on the other hand, is well-positioned to return to prominence.
Dallas’ offensive line is primed for a bounceback
The Cowboys’ OL struggled to stay healthy in 2020. Right tackle La’el Collins (16 games missed), right guard Zack Martin (6), left tackle Tyron Smith (14), and left guard Cameron Erving (10) all missed significant time with injuries in 2020. Before the injury-riddled campaign, the Cowboys’ OL unit had been lauded in previous seasons for their run blocking and pass protection.
Multiple reports suggest that Collins, Martin, Smith, and Erving have not suffered any setbacks in their recovery. Therefore, the unit is well-positioned to reclaim its elite status in 2021. This is good news for Prescott and the Dallas skill position players.
Fantasy projection
Given the information we have around Gallup and looking at his fantasy outlook in Dallas, he projects for around 115 targets, 68 receptions, a little over 1,000 receiving yards, and 7 touchdowns in 2021. Thus, Gallup is a mid-range WR3 in PPR with a low-end WR2 ceiling.
Gallup’s ADP in fantasy drafts
Gallup is being drafted in around the 10th round of 12-team fantasy drafts when you review redraft ADP data (125.5) from Fleaflicker. He is going slightly higher in pay-to-play fantasy formats, such as the National Fantasy Championship, where he has an ADP of 98.53. However, Gallup’s ADP in PPR formats on Sleeper is 118.8.
Should you draft Gallup at this ADP in 2021?
Yes — no question about it. You’ll want exposure to the Cowboys’ passing game in 2021. Gallup is an inexpensive way to do so. He’s also an excellent consolation prize if you miss out on drafting Cooper or Lamb.