Wayne Gallman, RB: A Darkhorse Candidate To Start For The Redskins

Wayne Gallman, RB
School: Clemson | Conference: ACC
College Experience: RS Junior | Age: 21
Height / Weight: 6-0 / 215 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 3rd or 4th Round
NFL Comparison: Matt Forte

College Statistics

Player Overview

Wayne Gallman has consistently been one of the better running backs in all of college football. It's easy to see how he can get somewhat overlooked when playing with future first rounders in teammates Mike Williams and Deshaun Watson and also with another potential first rounder in the conference at the same position in Dalvin Cook. However, Gallman has some real talent. He is patient and plays with great vision. He can analyze and diagnose running lanes just as good as any other back in this draft. He is decisive, once Gallman sees an opportunity he takes it and hits it with burst and power. He is a bit more dynamic than a one cut back though, Gallman has some nice shiftiness to his game and can string together multiple jump cuts and pair it with his elusiveness and burst to get some nice yardage he is also a decent receiving threat out of the backfield. Gallman is my darkhorse candidate at running back that could push for a starting role on the Redskins.

Strengths

• Good size and build for the position can withstand punishment and is durable.
• Attacks gaps without hesitation with burst and purpose. Able to get skinny and make the most out of the space blocked.
• Plays with excellent vision and is patience behind the line will let his blocks develop and go as soon as there is space. Aware of the space around him and can navigate laterally to create chances.
• Plays with physicality and will finish runs himself and will take some defenders for rides. Feet are always active and his effort is impressive.
• Adequate receiver out of the backfield.

Weaknesses

• Has decent straight-line speed but nothing elite, aside from his impressive initial burst acceleration is just slightly above average, I don't think he gets as many “home runs” in the pros.
• For as physical of a player as he is I expected more in the pass protection department. The effort isn't lacking but he needs to learn how to square up and play with better technique.
• A bit stiff in his movements and is not the most agile back that some other prospects are.
• Gallman looks tall on tape though his height is nothing out of the ordinary. He plays consistently upright and can be stood up by defenders that get underneath his pads.

Let’s see his work:

How He Would Fit On The Redskins

Gallman may not come with the other bells and whistles of the top backs in this draft but he is a very productive player and will get things done in the NFL. I love his physicality and short area quickness. He can get more than what's blocked for him with his outstanding vision and power, and active feet. While he's not in the top percentiles Gallman offers more speed, better vision, improved elusiveness, and arguably better receiving skills than Rob Kelley. He also has the ability to make more with less. He may not be the back you envision when Jay Gruden said the team would like to add one who is more versatile but his skill set definitely checks most of the boxes especially compared to the guys already on the roster. I’d like to see how Gallman handles committee duties with Kelly and Thompson but I wouldn't be surprised if he eventually carves out a starting role for himself on the Redskins or any other team searching for a potential lead back.