NFL DRAFT 2018: MICHAEL GALLUP

The NFL draft is just days away, and by this point each player has been analyzed, scrutinized, and romanticized by every NFL guru from Kalamazoo to Calcutta. We here at pigskinpress.com turn once again to our director of scouting Nathan Cooper to help us look deeper into the draft at some guys from the group of five that may be a real steal on draft day!

Michael Gallup College: Colorado State

Position: Wide Receiver

Year: 4SR

Jersey: #4

Hometown: Monroe, GA

Games Scouted: 2017 #1 Oregon State, #2 Colorado, #4 @ Alabama, #11 Boise State, Senior Bowl Practices (Live), Senior Bowl (Live) 2017 Stats: 13 GP, 100 Rec, 1413 Yards, 7 TD Career Stats (at CSU): 26 GP, 176 Rec, 2685 Yards, 21 TD All-Star Game: Senior Bowl

Background/Notes

School’s single-season receptions leader with 100 in 2017
2017 Second Team All-American (Associated Press)
2x First Team All-MWC (2016, 2017 – Coaches)
Major in Liberal Arts
3-Star Composite in 2016 out of JC (247Sports)
Also played baseball and basketball and ran track in high school
Grew up as one of five adopted children

Character – A

No concerns

Medical – B

2015 at Butler County – Only appeared in four games due to an ankle injury
2016 – Injured his right ankle against Northern Colorado
2017 – Suffered a right hamstring injury against New Mexico

Strengths

Good hands
Very good tracking ability
Shows that he can break tackles and gain yardage after the catch
Solid route runner

Weaknesses

Will get re-routed by larger corners
Possesses a wide stance at the LOS and leads to a false step or roll off the line
Not much of a blocker

Summary

Gallup projects as a #2 receiver in the NFL. He played his first two seasons at Butler County Community College where he amassed 854 receiving yards and 12 TD. His past two seasons at Colorado State, he played all over the field. He mostly lined up out wide, but played both sides of the field and also slid into slot on occasion. He’s a very good athlete and competes with toughness in his routes. At the LOS, he has a very wide stance which leads to a false step or a roll off the line. He shows good quickness off the line, so it wasn’t a huge concern in college, but might affect him at the next level. In the run game, he doesn’t bring much at all. He shows some strength and will throw some blocks here and there, but isn’t great when he does and doesn’t look to be a candidate to willingly block for an entire game. In the passing game, he has traits to be a playmaker. He does a good job side-stepping off the line to avoid contact against press. He has good hands and shows that he can catch the ball away from his body. He’s a solid route runner and shows speed in and out of his routes. He shows savvy in his route running and knows how to box out defenders at the catch point. He is able to separate from defenders, either with speed or by using his off hand. Going up against larger/longer corners, he will get re-routed at times, but does a good job getting back on his track. He possesses the ability to make plays on short routes or deep down the field. His body control with the ball in the air and his tracking ability are something that makes him stand out. He’s got the ability to make catches in traffic and awkward positions, not just the balls that are thrown directly at him. Sometimes he has a minor lapse in concentration, but it’s nothing that showed consistently. He has the bulk to make catches anywhere on the field and shows great awareness on the sidelines. He can play anywhere on the field and play inside or outside on 3rd downs. He has some Anquan Boldin in his game. Gallup could probably play some special teams, but doesn’t look to be a large contributor. He should come in right away and force a team to get him on the field and find catches for him. By his second season, he should be able to work his way into the #2 role.

NFL Comparison: Chris Godwin, Buccaneers (3rd Round, 2017) Gallup and Godwin possess similar size and skills at the receiver position. They both are good route runners with good hands and down-field ability, but will get re-routed by larger corners.

Grade: 6.7 (Late 1st-Early 2nd)

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