Giants select Clemson running back Wayne Gallman in fourth round of NFL Draft
The New York Giants added another weapon to their offense by selecting Clemson running back Wayne Gallman in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
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Gallman, the 140th overall pick, fills a blaring need for the Giants. Rashad Jennings was cut in the offseason. Second-year player Paul Perkins is expected to take over as the lead running back. Shane Vereen is still installed as the passing yards back. Shaun Draughn was signed in the offseason but he, like Vereen, will be used primarily in passing situations.
Gallman had a productive career for the national champion Tigers. He finished with 3,429 yards and 34 touchdowns on 676 carries. He averaged 5.1 yards per carry. Gallman also caught 65 passes for 473 yards and two touchdowns.
Gallman adds versatility to the Giants’ offense that was sorely lacking in 2016. Opponents were able to focus almost exclusively on the pass game because they had nothing to fear on the ground. The Giants finished with an average of 88.3 yards per game. They didn’t have a 100-yard rushing performance until the regular season finale.
Gallman brings a skill set that Jennings didn’t have. He has agility and burst to hit a hole and make a player miss in the backfield. He isn’t the most powerful runner but he runs hard. He still needs to work on pass protection but won’t be asked to do too much as a rookie. Gallman could be used on early downs. He also could be used in short-yardage and goal line situations, something that has been missing from their offense.
The selection of Gallman in the draft should signal the end of the pursuit of LaGarrette Blount. Rumors have swirled that the two sides were mutually interested. Gallman was brought in to do the same things that Blount has done throughout his career.
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