Who Should I Start? Michael Gallup or Xavier Restrepo

Wednesday, June 11, 10:02 PM

Washington Commanders wide receiver Michael Gallup (hamstring) is dealing with a hamstring strain that has kept him off the field for the first two days of mandatory minicamp this week, a source told The Washington Post's Nicki Jhabvala. Gallup spent the first six years of his NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys after they selected him in the third round (81st overall) in 2018 out of Colorado State before signing with the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency. The 29-year-old then abruptly retired and didn't play at all in 2024. He's making a comeback back in the NFC East, but Gallup is facing an uphill battle for playing time in D.C. behind Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel Sr., Noah Brown (undisclosed), K.J. Osborn and Luke McCaffrey. Gallup's hamstring injury isn't helping his cause in minicamp. He's off the fantasy radar for now.

Tuesday, May 13, 2:37 PM

Rookie wide receiver Xavier Restrepo signed with the Tennessee Titans after going unselected in the 2025 NFL Draft, and he has reportedly had a strong start to practice. The 23-year-old was quarterback Cam Ward's No. 1 wide receiver last season at Miami and tallied 69 receptions for 1,127 yards and 11 touchdowns. His chemistry with Ward has been evident early, and he's looked like the best rookie wide receiver on the field, but Titans insider Easton Freeze writes, "it's still an uphill climb" for Restrepo to make the team's 53-man roster. "He was a UDFA, not a 4th-round pick like Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor," Freeze wrote. "He's situated to shine this time of year, with a practice-friendly skillset and built-in chemistry with Cam Ward. And his biggest obstacle to making this team is his lack of versatility as a slot-only receiver who doesn't offer much on special teams." While Restrepo is gaining buzz as a potential undrafted steal, expectations should continue to be tempered, as he has a lot working against him.