When Michael Gallup came down with the game-winning catch for the two-point conversion on Sunday against the New York Giants, Cowboys fans went into a frenzy. The rookie receiver helped cap off a great comeback victory, ending their regular season on a winning note. In just two plays, the duo of Cole Beasley and Gallup had silenced MetLife Stadium, except for the Cowboys fans in attendance.

On the surface, it may have felt like an underwhelming year for the rookie from Colorado State. He’s been inconsistent, in half of the games this year he hasn’t even had 25 yards receiving. But that’s not to say he hasn’t been effective. There have been several times this season where he’s made a key play for the offense. He came up big on the Cowboys first drive against the New Orleans Saints earlier this season with a 40-yard strike to set up the game’s first score.

He also had a nice catch on a third-and-long play a couple weeks ago against Tampa Bay that helped Dallas score on their opening drive.

Dak with a BEAUTY to Michael Gallup! pic.twitter.com/mc4vec2HLi — uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) December 23, 2018

He had a touchdown catch later in the game on a back shoulder pass from Dak Prescott.

While Gallup isn’t having the rookie seasons that Calvin Ridley and D.J. Moore are having, he’s still putting together a productive year. After those two first-round WR’s, there were eight other receivers taken on Day 2 of the draft. Gallup was the second to last one selected that day. Fan favorites like Anthony Miller, James Washington, DJ Chark, and Dante Pettis were all selected before Gallup, but none of them had more receiving yards this season.

And really, those receiving numbers don’t do him justice and there have been a handful of occasions where Gallup has been wide open for a big play, but Prescott just misfired.

Michael Gallup smoked Eli Apple here. Dak overthrew him. pic.twitter.com/NHCAV3GPp9 — NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) November 30, 2018

With each new game, Prescott and Gallup continue to build chemistry. With other receiving weapons like Amari Cooper and Beasley combined with the attention defenses give Ezekiel Elliott, Gallup should continue to get one-on-one matchups. The opportunities are only going to get better for him.

It’s been a rough year for the Cowboys young receiver as tragedy struck the Gallup family less than two months ago when they learned the news that Michael’s brother had committed suicide. Gallup has stayed strong. He hasn’t missed a single game and has 50+ receiving yards in three of his last five games. Gallup’s showing that he can make plays when called upon and he’s just one of many who can hurt defenses on any given play.

Are you happy with the Cowboys offensive weapons heading into the playoffs? pic.twitter.com/socVv2TvJz — Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) January 2, 2019

Are you happy with the Cowboys selection of Gallup?