The Dallas Cowboys have let go of several offensive players, but they may bring in a promising wide receiver. While losing Michael Gallup doesn't seem like a major setback, it does mean the Cowboys need to find someone else for that position.
That's why Blogging the Boys writer Brian Martin thinks Dallas might select Washington prospect Ja’Lynn Polk in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft. Polk had an excellent year and could now join the Cowboys.
“The Cowboys may secretly need a wide receiver, especially after letting go of Michael Gallup. Ja’Lynn Polk can fill that need and also improve Dallas’ entire group of receivers,” Martin wrote on March 20. “The 6’2”, 205-pound WR is exactly what they need to play alongside CeeDee Lamb. Polk is a legitimate deep threat, a skilled route runner, and one of the better receivers who can catch contested balls in the entire 2024 draft class.”
Polk and the Washington Huskies reached the College Football Playoff National Championship last season and he played very well. His college career has positive indicators that he could become a starting WR in the NFL.
Polk is moving to the NFL Draft after his time with the Huskies.
Polk initially began his college career at Texas Tech, but transferred after one season. He spent a year getting accustomed to Washington, as Sports Reference shows that he didn’t make significant contributions until the 2022 season.
In his second season in Seattle, Polk caught 41 passes for 694 yards and six touchdowns. While the total numbers aren’t exceptional, what stands out is his yards per reception, which averaged 16.9 in 2022.
Even though he had a more significant role in the Huskies’ offense, his average dropped only slightly to 16.8 yards per catch in 2023. He accumulated 1159 yards on 69 receptions and scored 10 touchdowns this past season.
The only worry about Polk is that he is not exceptionally athletic. He ran a 4.52 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, and NFL.com’s draft analyst Lance Zierlein explains that he might lack the explosiveness to consistently win in the NFL.
“Polk’s speed was slightly below average at the NFL Scouting Combine,” Zierlein wrote. “But his other numbers were good enough for him to be considered starting late on Day 2 of the draft.”
Former Cowboys WR Visiting Ravens
As Dallas figures out their next move at WR, Michael Gallup is seeking his next team. As things stand, it seems like the Baltimore Ravens are the leading contender for his services.
On March 20, ESPN reporter Adam Schefter reported that Gallup is visiting Baltimore on March 21.
“Cowboys free-agent WR Michael Gallup is set to visit Thursday with the Baltimore Ravens,” Schefter wrote on X.
Gallup is looking for a fresh start after a disappointing end to his time in Dallas. After a 2019 season with 1109 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns, he never reached those same levels again. In fact, the former Cowboys WR has not surpassed 500 total yards in any of the past three seasons.
