Fantasy Football: 5 Undervalued New York Giants
No. 3 – Wayne Gallman (RB #71)I still can’t understand how some fantasy football outlets are ranking backs who are third or lower on their team’s depth chart (Adrian Peterson and LeGarrette Blount) ahead of Wayne Gallman heading into this year.
Not only is the 23-year-old a Barkley injury away from being the New York Giants starter, but there has been zero indication that he will be faded out of the team’s game plan entirely even if Saquon manages to stay healthy the entire year.
Last season, behind a swiss-cheese offensive line and a non-threatening passing game, Gallman rushed 111 times for 476 yards in 13 games. The Giants did sign Jonathan Stewart this offseason, but his lack of carries this preseason and poor performances suggest he will serve more as veteran guidance than an actual offensive contributor.
For those actually worried about Jonathan Stewart taking reps from Saquon Barkley (seriously?) or blocking Wayne Gallman, take a look at Latavius Murray and his usage by Pat Shurmur over first four weeks last year.
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) August 20, 2018
Carries: 2-3-2-7
And Murray had a sizable contract, too.
Stewart does not offer nearly the same upside in the passing game, as Gallman caught 34 passes for 193 yards and a score in 2017. Per Newsday, Shurmur made it clear that just because Stewart is earning $3.675 million this season, that doesn’t mean he has a guaranteed spot in the Giants backfield.
According to NFL writer Bob Glauber, Shurmur said:
"“Everybody that’s coaching or playing has to produce. It’s important that you have a veteran presence, but you also have to have a youthful team. That’s the balancing act you have.”"
I’m not saying you should jump the gun and draft Gallman in a two-RB, 10-team league. For two-RB,12-team leagues when the RB pool gets shallow, Gallman is a fantastic late-round value. For owners who invest a first-round pick in Barkley and need the handcuff insurance, that advice goes double.