Michael Gallup Waiver Wire Week 8: Fantasy outlook for Cowboys WR

As fantasy football managers scour the waiver wire looking for the next player who can upgrade their roster in Week 8, Dallas Cowboys WR Michael Gallup should be near the top of the list. As he returns from the injured reserve and rejoins a Cowboys offense firing on all cylinders, what can Gallup bring to your fantasy roster? Should you grab him off the waiver wire in Week 8?

Cowboys designate Michael Gallup to return from IR

This feels like a long time coming, but it appears we are close to Gallup’s return to the 2021 season. On Monday, the Cowboys designated Gallup to return from IR. This opens a 21-day window for Gallup to be activated. 

Gallup has been out since injuring his calf in Week 1 against the Buccaneers. At the time of his injury, Gallup had 4 receptions on 7 targets for 36 yards.

His initial timetable was set at 3-5 weeks, but he’s already been out for six . In his absence, both Cedrick Wilson and Dalton Schultz have taken on prominent roles complementing Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb.

Gallup has been a sparkplug for the Cowboys’ offense during his career

Throughout his career, Gallup has been the vertical threat on the Cowboys’ offense. From 2019-20, he recorded 125 receptions on 218 targets for 1,950 yards and 11 touchdowns. He’s posted back-to-back campaigns with 100+ targets and has yet to have a season with an aDOT (average depth of target) less than 12.5 yards down the field. 

Gallup averaged a 19.5% and 16.9% target share in the last two respective seasons. In games with Dak Prescott under center, he averaged 7.42 targets, 4.3 receptions, 76.6 yards, and 14.2 fantasy points per game. Those are not insignificant numbers. And when you add in Prescott is playing arguably the best football of his career, the upside for Gallup is enormous once he makes his return.

Does Michael Gallup still have a role?

While both Cooper and Lamb are doing what we all expected, Wilson has been a pleasant surprise for the Cowboys this year. Playing on 51% of the offensive snaps, Wilson has caught 14 of 19 targets for 168 yards and 2 TDs. He is coming off the best game of his season in Week 7, where he hauled in 4 receptions for 42 yards while tying his career-high with 7 targets. 

I’m not going to say Wilson is as talented as Gallup — I don’t believe he is. But with Dallas sitting at 5-1 and only getting better, do they really need Gallup? In my opinion, his fantasy value might be highest on another team.

Gallup is a prime name to watch as the trade deadline approaches

If the Cowboys choose to make a move before the November 2 trade deadline, it will be to upgrade their defense. To me, the likeliest chip Jerry Jones opts to use in trade talks is Gallup. 

For one, Gallup could be a No. 1 option on several teams. Virtually every NFL team could benefit from his addition. Secondly, Gallup is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2021 season. If the Cowboys want to get anything in return for him, this will be their last chance before free agency. 

By no means do they need to deal Gallup, and honestly, they probably don’t want to. As long as Jones is leading the franchise, the Cowboys will never be sellers. But if someone comes calling, this is a move that makes too much logical sense for them not to consider their options.

Any change in Gallup’s fantasy value would depend on his landing spot. How much more productive would he be as a WR1/WR2 on, say, the New Orleans Saints instead of the WR3.5 on the Cowboys?

With one week until the trade deadline and several teams needing additional WR help, Gallup is a player I expect to be on the move.

Should fantasy managers target Gallup in Week 8 waiver wire claims?

I believe you absolutely should. Once Gallup returns, he’s likely to return to his WR3 role on a high-flying Cowboys offense. He’s still a WR3/4 for the remainder of the season. Ideally, he’ll be back in Week 8. But even if it takes an extra week, it’s better to claim Gallup before the rest of your league is trying to do the same thing.

As we touched on, the other possibility is that he is traded and goes from being Dallas’ WR3 to another team’s WR1 or WR2 and, in turn, watches his target share increase. Volume is a massive factor in fantasy. While Gallup can put up big games, he carries volatility due to his utilization. Place him in a higher-volume role, and Gallup becomes an even more consistent player who could flirt with higher-end WR3 value. It’s a win-win, which is rare to find off waivers in the middle of the fantasy season.