2018 NFL Draft: Michael Gallup is a first round talent

The 2018 NFL Draft features a number of promising wide receivers. If you’re looking for this year’s steal, however, it’s likely to be Michael Gallup.

One of the positions that’s taking center stage at the 2018 NFL Draft is wide receiver. It’s far from surprising, as quarterbacks are throwing the ball more than ever before and receivers are being paid like franchise cornerstones.

Whether not they deserve to be is another topic for another day, but the reality remains that wide receivers are becoming coveted contributors.

The general consensus in football circles is that former Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Calvin Ridley is the best wide receiver in the 2018 NFL Draft. I won’t be the one to oppose that belief, as Ridley is far better than his numbers display.

A 6’1″ and 190-pound playmaker with long strides and nearly flawless routes, Ridley has the tools to be a special player at the next level.

While Ridley may be established as the most coveted wide receiver in the 2018 NFL Draft, there are other intriguing options. That list includes Christian Kirk, Courtland Sutton, and James Washington, who have all entered the first round discussion.

For as compelling as those players may be, it’s Colorado State Rams wide receiver Michael Gallup who has all of the tools to emerge as the cream of the crop.

Gallup is coming off of a college career during which he was one of the most productive players in the country. Evaluating prospects is bigger than numbers, but when a player’s statistics are as gaudy as Gallup’s were, it’s hard to be anything but intrigued.

Gallup tallied 76 receptions for 1,272 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2016, and posted 100 receptions for 1,413 yards and seven touchdowns in 2017.

Beyond his season statistics, Gallup is one of the most dynamic wide receivers in this draft class. He has good size for his position at 6’1″ and 200 pounds, which he uses to his advantage on deep throws and short-to-intermediate routes.

There are matters of discipline that need to be discussed—namely, his tendency to run without much purpose when the ball isn’t coming his way—but the talent is undeniable.

Gallup is a natural athlete who should have no trouble breaking into the open field at the next level. He’s still somewhat raw, but his ability to get open and make plays on the ball will inevitably earn attention amongst scouts and general managers.

On film, Gallup has the game speed to separate from cornerbacks and safeties, as well as the toughness and hands to make plays in tight coverage.

One of the featured plays that Colorado State ran for Gallup was a bubble screen that trusted him to make something happen after the catch. The blockers weren’t always consistent, but the target was as reliable as they come.

No matter the opponent, Gallup managed to do an excellent job of either following his blockers or anticipating the angles played by the defenders who were left in front of him.

What intrigues me most about Gallup is that he has a great sense of where the sideline is. Out routes were a significant part of Colorado State’s game plan for the dynamic receiver, which required him to be able to keep his feet inbounds.

Rather than doing the one-foot drag that’s required in college football, Gallup consistently managed to keep both feet inbounds—an NFL-style reception.

In the event that Gallup was asked to run across the middle of the field, he proved willing and able to brace for contact. More importantly, he managed to make catches in tight coverage, thus displaying his hand strength and poise.

Colorado State quarterback Nick Stevens didn’t throw the best deep ball, but when Gallup was targeted down the field, he proved to be one of the best over-the-shoulder pass-catchers in the country.

As for what transpired when Gallup had the ball in his hands, his ability to run after the catch was more comparable to a running back than a wide receiver. He won’t intentionally go for contact like some wideouts who become injury-prone in the NFL, but he certainly won’t shy away from it.

Gallup manages to stay on his feet by gripping the ball tight, putting his shoulder down, and constantly remaining in forward motion.

What implies that he should remain healthy is that his elusiveness in the open field is his greatest strength. Not only does he have above-average foot speed, but Gallup is remarkably agile in the way he changes direction and eludes incoming tacklers.

If you’re still not sold, try the fact that there isn’t a route that Gallup can’t run at an above-average level—and the numbers display it.

If that still isn’t enough for you, then Gallup’s versatile ability to line up outside the numbers or in the slot should make it clear that he’s a first-round talent.

Must Read: 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Final evaluations before the Scouting Combine

Drafting wide receivers in Round 1 is often a dangerous endeavor, but Michael Gallup could be a force to be reckoned with if he ends up with the right team at the 2018 NFL Draft.