The Raiders will give Michael Gallup a second chance. After the Cowboys cut the veteran wide receiver earlier this year, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter reports the former 1,000-yard performer has a deal in place with the Raiders.
Gallup is heading to Las Vegas on a one-year deal worth up to $3MM. This certainly represents a steep drop from Gallup’s five-year Cowboys agreement, but the former third-round pick is coming off three straight underwhelming seasons. The Cowboys had given Gallup permission to seek a trade, but the team cut him — as a post-June 1 release — before a $4MM salary guarantee was due.
Las Vegas did not draft a wide receiver, and new GM Tom Telesco signed off on cutting Hunter Renfrow last month. Gallup, 28, will join Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers as veteran Raider wide receivers. This profiles as a bounce-back opportunity for Gallup, who has not displayed the form he once showed before a December 2021 ACL tear.
Although Gallup’s ACL tear did not occur until late in the ’21 season, he battled a calf injury earlier that year. Gallup has not surpassed 500 receiving yards since the 2020 season, going 445-424-418 over the past three years. The Cowboys then bailed on his five-year, $57.5MM deal. Dallas had opted for a cheaper Gallup contract alongside CeeDee Lamb, trading ex-Raider Amari Cooper to the Browns. That move created a void for the Cowboys, who spent 2022 searching for more receiving help. The team has 2023 trade pickup Brandin Cooks installed in that role for the time being.
In Gallup’s last full season before the tear, he totaled 59 receptions for 843 yards and five touchdowns. He bettered that work in 2019, teaming with Cooper — before Lamb’s arrival — in an 1,100-1,100 tandem. Gallup produced 1,107 yards on 66 catches, delivering a career-high six touchdown grabs in his second season. The 6-foot-1 target is now running out of time to return to these heights, and the Raiders’ receiving corps does not point to this deal providing the opportunities necessary to get there.
A regular in trade rumors over the past several months, Adams remains with the team. Telesco confirmed the 31-year-old star was not available at the Combine, and a report earlier this month indicated Mark Davis wants to pair the All-Pro with the team’s next long-term QB. With the Raiders left without a chair during a six-QB first round last week, it is unclear if Adams will be around by the time the Raiders do add that passer. But he remains in place with Gardner Minshew. Despite Meyers having close ties to the Josh McDaniels-Dave Ziegler regime, he remains on a three-year, $33MM deal — one that includes a fully guaranteed base salary in 2024.
Gallup has a path to becoming a third option, as the team is a bit light on depth at this position. Though, the Raiders have slot presence Tre Tucker — another acquisition from the brief McDaniels-Ziegler period — on the roster as well. The team hosted ex-Telesco Chargers wideout Jalen Guyton earlier today. Gallup met with the Ravens and Panthers this offseason but will end up working with OC Luke Getsy in Vegas.
Love this! Solid third reciever, possibly #2 when healthy
He’s a 3 at this point, but your take is correct in my opinion. Solid, but not nearly what he was pre injury. He’s a good depth pickup.
Las Vegas Raiders Undrafted Free AgentsQB – Carter Bradley, South AlabamaWR – Jeff Foreman, Arkansas StateWR – Lideatrick Griffin, Mississippi StateWR – Ramel Keyton, TennesseeTE- Mason Pline, FurmanOT – Andrew Coker, TCUOG – Jake Johnanning, FurmanC – Clark Barrington, BaylorC – Will Putnam, ClemsonEDGE – Ron Stone Jr., Washington StateDT – Noah Shannon, IowaDT – TJ Franklin, BaylorDT – Tomari Fox, North CarolinaLB – Amari Gainer, FSUCB – Demarcus Governor, Northern IowaCB – Ja’Quan Sheppard, MarylandDB – Phalen Sanford, NebraskaDB – Rayshad Williams, Texas Tech
He has to compete with Tucker for WR—3. Tucker had some huge plays back half of last season especially that butt spanking they laid on chargers Thursday night
I like Tucker but he reminds me more of a one trick pony. I dont mean that in a bad way just saying it’s all speed with him (as of right now), I think Gallop is a more polished WR at this point plus he got some size to him, Tre will definitely play but he’s the vertical guy IMO
I don’t really consider Adams or Meyers vertical threats, so Tucker definitely has an important role. We should have a pretty good receiver room, including the TEs.