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New York Giants Select Clemson Running Back Wayne Gallman 140th In 2017 NFL Draft

By Kenneth Teape

Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers running back Wayne Gallman (9) stiff arms against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers running back Wayne Gallman (9) stiff arms against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Giants selected Clemson running back Wayne Gallman with the 140th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

The New York Giants added yet another weapon to their offense in the fourth round. With the 34th selection in the fourth round and 140th overall, the Giants selected Clemson running back Wayne Gallman.

Gallman fills a need for the Giants. New York cut veteran Rashad Jennings earlier in the offseason, leaving a hole at running back. Paul Perkins is expected to take over as the lead back, with Shane Vereen as the passing down back. The Giants signed Shaun Draughn as a free agent, but he is mostly a receiving back. Gallman fills the hole left by Jennings.

Gallman was very productive for Clemson as both a rusher and receiver. He finished his Clemson career with 3,429 yards rushing on 676 carries, averaging 5.1 yards per carry. Gallman scored 34 touchdowns on the ground and added two more as a receiver. Gallman had 65 receptions in his Clemson career for 473 yards so he is productive there as well.

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That versatility will help the Giants. Last season their offense was too easily deciphered by opponents based on who was on the field. The addition of Gallman should help change that, as the Giants have added two offensive weapons that will help right away in Gallman and first round pick, Evan Engram.

Gallman will give the Giants rushing attack a lot of things it lacked with Jennings. He has agility and burst to hit a hole and make a player miss in the backfield to make something out of nothing. He isn’t the most powerful runner, but he runs hard.

Gallman will be a useful piece for the Giants offense. He needs to improve some in pass protection, but he will not be asked to do that much as a rookie; the Giants have other running backs to handle those responsibilities.

Gallman should help the Giants out right away on early downs. He is big enough that he could be their short-yardage and goal-line back, something they desperately needed.

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With Gallman now in the fold, the Giants will more than likely move on from LeGarrette Blount. There were rumors leading up to the draft that the two sides had mutual interest, but it is unlikely he is signed now with the Giants selecting Gallman in the fourth round.

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