Injuries are taking their toll on NFL teams. The Dallas Cowboys have had their fair share but are slowly getting healthier. Michael Gallup made his long-awaited return from his torn ACL in Week 4. How much of a priority is Gallup for fantasy football managers to add off the waiver wire ahead of Week 5?
The Cowboys Welcomed Michael Gallup Back With Open Arms
After a false start to his return in Week 3, Gallup was finally ready to go in Week 4. We knew he wouldn’t play a full complement of snaps, but it was more important to just see him out there and healthy.
Physically, Gallup looked fine. The issue last week was he just wasn’t mentally there, which is understandable. With each passing game, Gallup will grow more and more confident in his surgically repaired knee.
Michael Gallup Will Be The Cowboys’ WR2 in Short Order
In his first game back, Gallup served as the team’s WR3. CeeDee Lamb led the team with a 95% snap share. Noah Brown was second at 78%. Gallup played 64% of the snaps, which is pretty significant in his first game back.
More importantly, Gallup ran two more routes than Brown and just five fewer than Lamb. It’s only a matter of time before Gallup is back in that 90% snap share WR2 role, ahead of Brown. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if it happened next week.
The Cowboys’ Offense Will Be Better Once Dak Prescott Returns
Cooper Rush has been quite serviceable filling in for Prescott. But Prescott he is not. Reports are that Dak might be ready to go as early as Week 5. My guess is he returns in Week 6.
Either way, his return will hopefully spark the Cowboys’ offense to resemble the unit that led the NFL in scoring last season. In that season, Gallup caught 35 passes for 445 yards and two touchdowns in nine games. He’s just three years removed from a 66-catch, 1,100-yard season.
How Aggressively Should Fantasy Managers Pursue Michael Gallup off the Waiver Wire?
It’s a bit surprising to see Gallup rostered in less than half of Yahoo leagues. Fantasy managers could’ve drafted him and stashed him on IR. Even in leagues without an IR spot, once we heard reports of Gallup’s Week 3 return that ultimately didn’t happen, he became a name of note. But there’s nothing we can do about that now.
Gallup did catch a touchdown in the team’s Week 4 win over the Commanders. That undoubtedly will play a role in his perception amongst fantasy managers. At the same time, Gallup didn’t actually do much. He only caught two of three targets for 24 yards. Ideally, his subdued debut will help him fly under the radar.
If fully healthy entering the season, Gallup likely would’ve been drafted as a top-36 receiver. That’s his upside. Fantasy managers in leagues where he’s still on the wavier wire need to go get him.
Gallup is not going to be a league-winner, but he could emerge into a weekly WR3 within a couple of weeks. He’s worth a 10-15% FAAB bid or a medium waiver priority.