Panthers-Cowboys Trade? Carolina Should Want No Part

"The Cowboys are exploring all options with receiver Michael Gallup, including a potential trade. The Panthers could be one to watch here."

This was a small snippet from Jeremy Fowler's NFL free agency and trade buzz article on ESPN that dropped over the weekend.

While the Panthers are in dire need of adding a receiver, I'm not sure Gallup is the way to go. Talented player, sure, but he's entering his age 28 season and he's nothing more than a number three option in the passing game. The Panthers shouldn't turn a blind eye to anyone that's no a No. 1, but they don't need to start burning more assets to get a player of Gallup's caliber. They can find a No. 3 in free agency and hold onto the limited draft capital they do have.

A trade with Dallas doesn't necessarily have to have draft picks attached to it, though. It could be a player-for-player trade and if it's one of the handful of players the Panthers are already planning to part ways from, fine, go for it. If it involves any members of the young core or recent draft picks, forget it.

In six seasons with the Cowboys, Gallup has hauled in 266 receptions for 3,744 yards and 21 touchdowns. He had solid years in 2019-20, amassing nearly 2,000 yards between the two seasons. In 2021, he dealt with a lingering ACL injury and over the past two years he's averaged just 421 yards per season.

Gallup is under contract through the 2026 season and is scheduled to have a base salary of $8.5 million in 2024 and $10.5 million in 2025, 2026.

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