3 Low-Cost Wide Receivers the Cowboys Can Sign to Replace Michael Gallup After Release

The Dallas Cowboys will be in the market for a new WR3 this offseason after they released veteran receiver Michael Gallup. 

Heading into free agency, it was rumored that the Cowboys were going to let go of Gallup, as he was scheduled to make $4 million guaranteed for injury if he was on the roster by Mar. 18. The 28-year-old wide receiver had 34 receptions (57 targets) for 418 yards and two touchdowns this past season.

Dallas has a couple of potential in-house replacements for Gallup in Jalen Tolbert of Kavontae Turpin, but the Cowboys might want to explore the open market this offseason. 

The good news for Dallas is there are a few quality wide receivers left in free agency that won’t cost a ton and be a solid update at the WR3 spot. Whoever the Cowboys add to the WR core won’t move the needle in the NFC East race, as they are the favorites (+115 on FanDuel Sportsbook). 

1. Donovan Peoples-Jones

The 25-year-old wide receiver didn’t make a huge impact last season with the Cleveland Browns or Detroit Lions, but throughout his career, he can be a reliable receiving threat.

Last season, the Browns surprisingly traded Peoples-Jones to the Lions after he was one of their best wide receivers in 2022. The former University of Michigan receiver took off in 2022, producing a career-high 61 receptions (96 targets) for 839 yards and three touchdowns.

During that season, Peoples-Jones had 10 games with at least four catches and averaged 13.8 yards per reception. The 6-foot-2 wide receiver can stretch the field, which works well with CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks.

Spotrac projects Peoples-Jones’ calculated market value as a one-year, $2.7 million. Dallas doesn’t have much cap space to work with ($2.2M), but if there’s a way to get Peoples-Jones, they should consider it.

2. Van Jefferson

Jefferson is another wide receiver like Peoples-Jones, who didn’t make a lot of plays last year after being traded from the Los Angeles Rams to the Atlanta Falcons. When the 27-year-old receiver was traded to the Falcons, there was a belief that he would be an immediate weapon to their beleaguered wide receiver unit.

That didn’t happen, as Jefferson had 12 receptions (28 targets) for 101 yards in 12 games (five starts).

The Cowboys or any team looking to sign the former Florida Gator wide receiver hope that Jefferson can play like the guy we saw in 2021. During that season, the 6-foot-1 receiver was an excellent third/fourth receiving option alongside Robert Woods and Odell Beckham Jr.

In only his second season, Jefferson produced 50 receptions (89 targets) for 802 yards and six touchdowns. 

The Cowboys wouldn’t need that type of production from Jefferson as they have Lamb, Cooks, and tight end Jake Ferguson. However, Jefferson could be an intriguing receiver with his route running and ability to create big plays in the passing game out of the slot.

3. DJ Chark

Spotrac projects Chark’s calculated market value as a one-year, $10.9 million contract this offseason. However, it’s hard to see him getting a huge one-year deal with Mike Williams, Hunter Renfrow, Tyler Boyd, and Michael Thomas still on the open market.

Last season, the 27-year-old receiver recorded 35 receptions (66 targets) for 525 yards and five touchdowns. The last time Chark posted five touchdowns in a season was with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020 (5).

Chark has good size and speed, making him the perfect addition alongside Lamb and Cooks. The 6-foot-3 wideout didn’t have a ton of big games last season in Carolina, but he has the speed to create a big play in the passing game. The former LSU standout also has the size to be a weapon inside the red zone, which works in the Cowboys’ passing game.

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