If the Dallas Cowboys offense wants to remain dominant with their young core of Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott in 2017 and beyond, they will need to address some needs and add depth in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Whether you want to admit it or not, running back is one of these needs, and Clemson’s Wayne Gallman makes a ton of sense as a high-value back in a deep class of talented runners.
Gallman, a three-down back, could be well worth a priority draft pick by the Cowboys this April – here is why.
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Not reliant on any one trait to produce in this Clemson spread offense, Gallman shows NFL potential with his shiftiness, power, and open field speed.
This film clip and quote comes from my full scouting report on Clemson RB Wayne Gallman at Slant Sports, displaying how dangerous Gallman can be in the open field. The Cowboys’ offensive line obviously routinely springs backs to the second level of a defense and onto the edge – both areas that Gallman can do some damage.
Gallman shows a good understanding of when to simply put his head down and fight for the yards ahead of him and when he can spring the play outside of the tackles.
Wayne Gallman’s vision is certainly not elite, but he does make the right decisions in a hurry when given the types of clear running lanes you can expect to see in Dallas. Whoever backs up Ezekiel Elliott in 2017 is likely going to have an even more marginal role than Alfred Morris or Darren McFadden, as Zeke should come off the field far less in year two.
Even still, it helps to have another potential three-down player like Gallman on the depth chart at running back, and that’s what the Cowboys could be looking at in this versatile prospect.
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Wayne Gallman doesn’t break a ton of tackles or make a ton of defenders miss, but he always takes what the defense gives him and finishes while looking for big play opportunities. Most of his flash plays came on the outside zone runs that Cowboys’ Offensive Coordinator Scott Linehan consistently dials up, and Gallman can also help the Cowboys offense wear down defenses with his power on interior runs.
Wayne Gallman consistently hits the hole hard and with a low center of gravity, allowing him to turn seemingly lost plays into difference-making gains on early downs.
The next question with Gallman and his fit with the Dallas Cowboys is his ability to protect Dak Prescott, which he shows the willingness to do – despite some questionable technique.
It is likely that some NFL scouts will give Gallman a low grade in pass protection, despite him not giving up many pressures or sacks. Ideally, his technique needs a complete rework, as lunging at blockers and throwing his body around recklessly at times will not fare well at the next level.
I do think that Gallman’s “struggles” in pass protection are more than fixable, as he displays an incredible willingness to seek out contact and take on blitzers. There isn’t a formation or check involving the running back in this Dallas offense that Wayne Gallman cannot execute – as he was asked to perform in a spread offense at Clemson that didn’t even perfectly suit his style.
…I wanted to see him run in a more pro-style offense. With that said, he found ways to be productive and execute what was asked of him…
Wayne Gallman likely isn’t going to be a star in the NFL, but his ceiling is certainly as a productive RB1. With the top RB spot on the depth chart eaten up for the foreseeable future by Ezekiel Elliott, Gallman’s role in the silver and blue would only benefit him even more – as would his scheme fit and blockers in front.
With the ability to keep him fresh throughout the game and unleash a two-headed rushing attack of Elliott and Gallman, the Cowboys would easily have the most physical, versatile, and complete running back duo in the NFL – thanks to this Clemson Tigers product that earned a second round grade on my 2017 NFL Draft Board.
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Adding the big stage success of a National Championship win over Alabama to impress Will McClay and the Cowboys scouting department paired with the grittiness to quickly become a Jason Garrett “Right Kind of Guy”, Cowboys Nation shouldn’t be upset at all if a high draft pick is spent on Wayne Gallman.
While I think anyone would agree we will need to draft a RB I believe using a 2nd round is too high given our needs. I believe there are a handful of good options like a Darius Jackson type available in the 6th. I would not like to see Gallman, while I think he will be a good back, drafted by our Cowboys that early.
I think there’s a chance Gallman slips into the third, but I understand your thinking on not wanting to use that high of a pick at RB. Will be interesting to see what they actually do to address the position.
It’s my hope that they let Dunbar walk, sign McFadden to a cheap 1 year contract and release Morris and then draft the backup. McFadden wants to stay and I think he will sign for less to stay vs. looking for more money elsewhere.