Just days ago Ozzie Newsome made it obvious the Ravens are expecting to overhaul the wide receiver group, stating, “We’re looking for the opportunity to change that room, in terms of personnel and people that are in that room. And we’re going to leave no stones unturned.” Thus, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Ravens double-dip at the wide receiver position in this year’s upcoming draft.
Similar to 2010 when Newsome drafted both Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta in the 3rd and 4th rounds, the Ravens could very well do the same thing on day two of the draft, as this years group of wide receivers looks to be deep and talented.
(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)
In a draft that’s been described as lacking a true No. 1 wide receiver, there seems to be many options in the early to middle rounds. One of those options and one that doesn’t seem to get much exposure is Michael Gallup, finalists for the Biletnikoff Award and a consensus All-American.
Gallup, a highly productive WR out of Colorado State, put together a nice combine with a 4.51 40-yard dash, 36-inch vertical jump, a 122-inch broad jump, and 10 reps on the 225-pound bench press. His numbers don’t jump off the page and blow you away, but Gallup will be the first to tell you that doesn’t matter. “”I’m not the fastest, not the biggest, don’t have the best routes, but when the ball is in the air I’m the only one that’s going to come down with it,” Gallup said.
Gallup’s combine numbers may not impress you much, but his play on the field sure will. In his last year at Colorado State, Gallup reeled in 100 passes (a school record) for 1,413 yards and seven touchdowns. He ranked third in the nation in receptions, fifth in receiving yards, and sixth in average yards per game with 108.7 yards. In total, Gallup played two seasons at Colorado State, totaling 2,685 yards on 176 receptions and 21 touchdowns.
A guy described as winning most 50-50 balls with an ability to run after the catch, Gallup recorded four games with double-digit receptions and six games with triple-digit receiving yards, two of which he eclipsed 200 total receiving yards. His best outing came against Nevada in which he posted 13 receptions for 263 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Of course at 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, Gallup may not have the “elite size” of an NFL wide receiver and may very well fall in the draft due to his size and the level of competition he faced in the Mountain West. However, seeing as how two of the leagues best WR’s in Antonio Brown (5-foot-10) and Odell Beckham Jr. (5-foot-11) both lack “elite size” for an NFL wide receiver, I wouldn’t be too worried.
At 6-foot-1, with good speed, an ability to run after the catch, and a smooth route runner, Gallup is more than capable of developing into a productive target for Joe Flacco.
According to Pro Football Focus, Gallup is the number one rated wide receiver in this year’s draft, ahead of highly publicized receivers such as Calvin Ridley and D.J. Moore.
Whether it’s round two or three, I wouldn’t be disappointed if Ozzie and the front office pull the trigger and make him one of hopefully many offensive players in this year’s draft.
Robert grew up in Severna Park, MD and currently resides in Locust Point, Baltimore and is an avid sports and Ravens fan who has prior experience writing and working for Pro Football Focus. He is a 2014 graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, majoring in kinesiology and is currently working as a full-time certified personal trainer while also working on completing his Doctorate of Physical Therapy.