5 Players Who Could Be The New England Patriots WR1 in 2022

5. Michael Gallup, Cowboys/FA

The last of the options is perhaps the most intriguing. The Cowboys have tons of playmakers in house, and it’s possible that Michael Gallup is the one they let walk in free agency. He still has WR1 potential in an NFL offense somewhere else.

There are a couple hang ups with this. The first is the cap situation for the New England Patriots. Signing Gallup to big money could create some headaches once draft picks make their way into the building. However, extensions and a couple cuts will make that a non-issue, as cap wizardry continues to grow in the NFL. The other is the ACL tear Gallup suffered against the Cardinals in week 17. With surgery not done yet, the timetable for his return is unknown, as is the value he’ll command in free agency.

If the Patriots can exercise patience in this situation, Gallup is a great fit for them. He has the twitch and burst to be a threat in the quick passing game and the deep passing game. Gallup’s ball skills are excellent, as is his body control and sideline awareness. He can make acrobatic catches and rip you to pieces over the middle of the field.

In a continued build towards developing Jones and getting this offense to be more explosive in the passing game, waiting on Gallup to return to form could pay off.