Some of the toughest decisions in fantasy football come with setting your weekly lineup. One wrong decision could cost you the matchup. While the 2023 season just started, no one wants to start the year with a loss.
One potential lineup decision for fantasy players this week involves two Dallas Cowboys wide receivers. CeeDee Lamb is a must-start every week, regardless of the matchup. However, should fantasy players start Brandin Cooks or Michael Gallup this week?
Neither wide receiver is a must-start, but which Cowboy is the better starting option in Week 1?
Brandin Cooks Fantasy Outlook This Week
Last year was one to forget for Cooks and fantasy players with the veteran wide receiver on their roster. The former Oregon State star was the WR49, averaging nine fantasy points per game (half-point PPR). However, the veteran was stuck in a no-win situation with the Houston Texans. Yet, Cooks still led the team in receptions (57), targets (93), and receiving yards (699) despite missing four games.
More importantly, Cooks is primed for a bounce-back season. The Cowboys have high expectations for him this year after the veteran reportedly had an outstanding training camp. While he struggled last season, the former first-round pick has been a solid fantasy wide receiver.
MORE: Should You Start Calvin Ridley or Christian Kirk in Fantasy Football Week 1?
Cooks was the WR20 in 2021, averaging 11.7 fantasy points per game despite catching passes from Tyrod Taylor and the rookie Davis Mills. Furthermore, the veteran WR has totaled at least 1,000 receiving yards in six of the previous seven seasons before last year.
The former Oregon State star should have a productive performance Sunday night against the New York Giants.
Michael Gallup Fantasy Outlook This Week
Gallup was once considered an emerging star. The former Colorado State star had 66 receptions on 112 receptions for 1,107 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 2019. That year, he averaged a career-high 12.8 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Unfortunately, that season was the only year Gallup averaged more than 8.3 fantasy points per game.
The former Colorado State star struggled with injuries the past two years. He missed seven games early in the 2021 season with a calf strain. While Gallup was solid once he returned, the veteran wide receiver suffered a torn ACL in Week 17 that year, ending his season.
Last year, the former third-round pick missed the first three games recovering from the torn ACL. Thankfully, he didn’t miss any other game last season, totaling 39 receptions on 74 targets for 424 receiving yards and four touchdowns. However, Gallup averaged only 6.1 fantasy ppg in 2022, the second-lowest average in his career.
While the veteran heads into Week 1 healthy, fantasy players shouldn’t expect much from the former Colorado State star against the Giants.
Which of the Dallas Cowboys Wide Receivers Should You Start?
Last year, New York surrendered 26.3 half-point PPR fantasy points per game to wide receivers, the 13th-most in the NFL. However, the Giants added to their secondary in the offseason, using a first-round pick in the NFL Draft on cornerback Deonte Banks.
Neither Cowboys wide receiver is a must-start this week. Last season, Lamb dominated against the NFC East division rivals, totaling 14 receptions on 23 targets for 193 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Meanwhile, Noah Brown and Gallup had one solid performance each against the Giants. Brown scored 7.9 fantasy points in the Week 3 matchup, while Gallup had 8.8 fantasy points in the Week 12 contest.
Fantasy players should start Cooks over Gallup this week. The veteran has been the most consistent fantasy player in his career. Furthermore, Dallas might want to showcase their new wide receiver on Sunday Night Football.