Neville

Gallimore

A two-down reserve for the entirety of his rookie contract, 2020 third-rounder Gallimore has never played more than 416 snaps in a season. Heading into his age-27 campaign, he has never had the appearance of a projectable talent.

It rules Gallimore out for at least the first three weeks. Gallimore was given a 4-6 week timetable, so this puts him behind schedule. With Gallimore sidelined, rookie DT Osa Odighizuwa will open the season in a starting role.

It’s good news for Dallas after Gallimore went down in the Cowboys’ second preseason game. The timetable gives him a chance to be ready for Week 1 if he avoids setbacks. Gallimore’s injury paves the way for rookie DT Osa Odighizuwa to open the season in a starting role.

Gallimore will have an MRI on Saturday to determine the severity. The 2020 third-rounder made nine starts and played 38 percent of snaps as a rookie. Losing Gallimore would be a downgrade to the Cowboys’ defensive line, though he’ll have just under a month to get cleared for Week 1.

No surprises here. Tyron Smith (neck) is available after limited practice on Friday.

Gallimore (6’2/304) was a two-year starting Oklahoma nose tackle from Canada, who earned third-team AP All-American honors after setting career highs in TFLs (6.5) and sacks (4.0) as a redshirt senior. Already 23 years old, Gallimore’s below-average college production is worrisome, but he at least made flashy plays on tape. Blessed with 4.79 speed and a high motor, he’s at his best tracking down running backs and chasing quarterbacks out of the pocket. Development in his technique will allow him to get through the interior line more often, but he’s mostly maxed out as an older prospect with multiple years of starting experience. Gallimore projects as an interior rotational player among the Cowboys’ trenches who will have to rely on his athleticism in his first year. At least he’ll have tenured veterans Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe around to learn from.

Gallimore (6’2/304) was a two-year starting Oklahoma nose tackle from Canada, who earned third-team AP All-American honors after setting career highs in TFLs (6.5) and sacks (4.0) as a redshirt senior. Already 23 years old, Gallimore’s below-average college production is worrisome, but he at least made flashy plays on tape. Blessed with 4.79 speed and a high motor, he’s at his best tracking down running backs and chasing quarterbacks out of the pocket. Development in his technique will allow him to get through the interior line more often, but he’s mostly maxed out as an older prospect with multiple years of starting experience. In the NFL, Gallimore projects as an interior starter who mostly relies on athleticism.

Gallimore (6'2/304) ran well at the NFL Scouting Combine, posting a time of 4.79 seconds in the 40-yard dash. And to be frank that wasn’t a surprise to those who followed the former Sooner, who was considered to be one of the top “athletic freaks” in college football. For Gallimore the key to success at the NFL level will be for him to get better as using leverage, as in Zierlein’s opinion he can play a little too high at times. “Oklahoma had him playing in the gaps but he might be more effective improving his hands and learning to two-gap,” Zierlein wrote. “Unless he turns the flashes into a finished product, his future may be as a rotation tackle in an even front.”

It’ll be interesting to see if Gallimore can raise that rank after he performs in Indianapolis, if only because so much of his promise comes from athleticism. In fact, Brugler calls the 6-foot-2, 305-pound defender an “athletic marvel” for his size, and that his “splash plays” are some of the best you’ll see from the position. Brugler also notes that Gallimore’s technique leaves a lot to be desired, but he still believes he can be a three-technique in the NFL -- one who someday can be a starter at the next level.

Gallimore posted an 11.8 percent win rate beating out Baylor DL Bravvion Moore (10.8 percent), Kansas State DL Trey Dishon (10 percent), Texas Tech DL Broderick Washington (8.5 percent), and Kansas State DL Joe Davies (eight percent) for the top spot. Gallimore landed on Bruce Feldman’s “freaks” list this offseason after benching 500 pounds and squatting 800. He’s a legitimate NFL draft prospect who could vault up draft ranks this season.