The Pittsburgh Steelers have an obvious hole at wide receiver. There aren’t many free agent options left to fill that void. But one potential possibility is former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Gallup.
Pro Football Network’s Dallas Robinson named the Steelers the best fit for Gallup in NFL free agency.
“Michael Gallup hasn’t been the same player since tearing his ACL in 2022 but has a 1,000-yard campaign (2019) on his ledger,” Robinson wrote. “The 6’1″, 200-pounder can give the Steelers more size on the perimeter and wouldn’t prevent them from drafting an early-round WR.”
Gallup hasn’t posted a 1,000-yard season since 2019. Last year, he recorded 34 catches for 418 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns.
But that’s still more production than any receiver the Steelers currently have on their roster besides George Pickens.
In 86 NFL games, all with the Cowboys, Gallup has recorded 266 catches for 3,744 yards. He’s also posted 21 touchdowns while averaging 14.1 yards per reception.
Why the Steelers Could Be a Great Fit For WR Michael Gallup
The Steelers haven’t been completely inactive on the wide receiver market. They signed Van Jefferson on March 15 and then they added Quez Watkins on March 25.
But those two receivers combined for just 351 receiving yards during the 2023 season.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo suggested during an appearance on 93.7 The Fan that both Jefferson and Watkins might not be on the Steelers’ final 2024 roster.
With that in mind, there are still wide receiver depth concerns in Pittsburgh.
“The Steelers traded WR Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers earlier this month, leaving them with George Pickens and a host of question marks on their wideout depth chart,” Robinson wrote. “Pittsburgh has signed Van Jefferson and Quez Watkins, neither of whom is an inspiring choice as a starting wide receiver.”
As Robinson wrote, Gallup isn’t the same player he was before tearing his ACL in 2021. But he would still be an upgrade over Jefferson or Watkins.
Gallup has posted more than 400 receiving yards in all six of his NFL seasons. Neither Watkins nor Jefferson have had at least 400 receiving yards in a season since 2021.
In 2023, Gallup averaged 12.3 yards per reception, which was nearly 2 yards below his career average. But Jefferson and Watkins each averaged under 11 yards per catch during 2023.
Could the Steelers Still Sign WR Tyler Boyd?
Since free agency started, pundits have linked the Steelers to Cincinnati Bengals wideout Tyler Boyd. But interestingly, Robinson named the Miami Dolphins the best fit for Boyd.
“Miami is clearly looking for another wideout to play alongside Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle,” Robinson wrote. “Let’s give them a veteran pass catcher who’s already used to working behind two dominant receivers.”
Pro Football Focus’ Brad Spielberger disagreed. He called the Steelers the best landing spot for Boyd. The 29-year-old had 667 receiving yards on 67 catches and 2 touchdowns in 2023.
Fittipaldo, though, argued that money is an issue between the Steelers and Boyd.
“I just don’t think they want to pay $8-9 million a year for a guy who’s going to be a number three,” Fittipaldo said on 93.7 The Fan.
It’s quite possible that the Steelers will wait to add any more receiving depth in free agency until after the draft. At that point, Pittsburgh will be able to reevaluate how big of a need receiver is.
But when that occurs, Gallup could very easily be on Pittsburgh’s radar as a potential target.
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Steelers Projected to Sign Former 1,000-Yard Big, Perimeter WR