Week 11 vs Patriots
Wayne Gallman actually saw 15 carries against the Cowboys, mainly due to Atlanta playing their backups in the fourth quarter. In fact, Falcons HC Arthur Smith said the backups got playing time due to the upcoming short week. Gallman may get some more actual playing time, rather than garbage time, on Thursday with Cordarrelle Patterson likely out with a sprained ankle, though Mike Davis will get the first crack. Gallman is a very deep, risky play on a short week.
Week 17 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Wayne Gallman was held to just six carries and two receptions for 53 yards last week against the Ravens, as the Giants were down 20-3 at the half and finished the game with just 11 rushing attempts. Gallman is splitting touches with Alfred Morris, but still seems to be the lead back. If the Giants can stay in the game, it seems likely he’ll get double-digit touches – but that could be a big if.
This week, the upside is there against a Cowboys defense that ranks 15th in aFPA to opposing running backs. However, Dallas has been playing better lately and the Giants are trending in the opposite direction. Consider Gallman a firm RB3 option, and if you can find someone with a safer workload on a better team, that might be best.
Week 16 at Baltimore Ravens
Wayne Gallman had just nine carries for 29 yards last week against the Browns. The Giants got down 13-3 in the second quarter, and then couldn’t recover, losing 20-6. It was the first time Gallman has had less than 15 touches since early November. Until last week, he was getting a reasonably full workload, and his short-yardage work was making him a high-floor RB2 option in most leagues. Now, with just 21 carries, 86 yards and zero touchdowns over his past two games, it’s a little concerning. Plus, Alfred Morris has been inching his way into more touches, including seven last week.
This week, Gallman faces a Ravens defense that ranks 20th in aFPA to opposing running backs. If Gallman gets back to 15+ touches, he could be worth RB2 consideration again, but with Morris getting more touches than Gallman owners are comfortable with and with the likelihood that the Giants get down early again, he’s risky. We have him ranked as a mid-tier RB3 option this week.
Week 15 vs. Cleveland Browns
Wayne Gallman had 73 yards on 12 carries and three receptions last week in a blowout loss to the Cardinals. He averaged 4.8 yards per carry and likely would’ve put up better numbers had the Giants not fallen behind 13-0 at the half. Gallman has been a high-floor fantasy option, particularly in standard formats, while taking over as the lead back. He has at least 13 touches in each of the last seven games, and has six touchdowns over that span.
This week, Gallman faces a Browns defense that ranks 16th in aFPA to opposing running backs, but got torched for five touchdowns on the ground by the Ravens on Monday night – two of which were from Lamar Jackson, in all fairness. Gallman should get his chances to find the end zone again and should be considered a quality RB2 option, particularly in standard formats.
Week 14 vs. Arizona Cardinals
Wayne Gallman had a great game against a tough Seahawks run defense last week, rushing for 135 yards on 16 carries – aided by a 60-yard carry – in a surprise victory for the Giants. Gallman has really taken over the lead back role since Devonta Freeman went down, and has done an admirable job of it. He’s averaging 4.6 yards per carry on the season and has six touchdowns in as many games.
This week, Gallman faces a Cardinals defense that ranks 18th in aFPA to opposing running backs. Expect another full workload for Gallman, if the Giants defense can keep the Cardinals from running up the score again, making him a high-floor RB2 option in most leagues, especially standard formats, where his lack of work in the passing game won’t hurt his value as much.
Week 13 at Seattle Seahawks
Wayne Gallman had a nice game last week against the Bengals with 94 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries. He added three receptions, but ended up with negative receiving yardage. Gallman has been quietly solid filling in for the injured Devonta Freeman, scoring six touchdowns over the past five games.
Gallman has a nice matchup against a Seahawks defense that ranks 20th in aFPA to opposing running backs. If he gets another full workload, he should be in store for quality production. Freeman is expected to miss at least one more game, so fantasy owners should plug Gallman in as a low-risk RB2 option. We have him ranked just inside our top-20 backs this week.
Week 12 at Cincinnati Bengals
Wayne Gallman has been a touchdown machine in recent weeks with five touchdowns in his past four games, including two against the Eagles before the bye last week. Gallman’s workload has increased significantly as the season has progressed, and he had 18 carries against the Eagles. With Devonta Freeman still out for at least a couple more games, Gallman should continue to get some work.
This week, Gallman faces a Bengals defense that ranks 15th in aFPA to opposing running backs. Also, the Bengals may struggle to put up points with Ryan Finley at quarterback, meaning the Giants may run the ball. Gallman is a sneaky RB2 option this week in a decent matchup with a likely positive game script.
Week 10 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Wayne Gallman had a modest 77 yards on 14 carries and one reception last week, but he also found the end zone for the third straight week. While Devonta Freeman has been out, Gallman’s touchdowns have made for quality fantasy production.
Freeman may return this week, and if he does, expect a timeshare at best for Gallman, limiting his fantasy upside. It’s also a tough matchup against an Eagles defense that ranks eighth in aFPA to opposing running backs. If Freeman is out, Gallman’s workload should make him worth considering as a low-end flex option, but if Freeman plays, sit Gallman in a tough matchup with a questionable role.
Week 9 at Washington Football Team
Wayne Gallman led the Giants’ backfield in carries with 12 last week against the Buccaneers, but he surprisingly split time with Alfred Morris. Still, Gallman wound up with 62 yards – including an 18-yard reception – and a touchdown filling in for the injured Devonta Freeman.
This week, Gallman should be in for double-digit touches again with Freeman likely to miss another game. He faces a Washington defense that ranks 13th in aFPA to opposing running backs. Assuming Freeman is out again, Gallman should be considered an RB3 option in a below-average matchup. If Freeman surprises and starts, Gallman should be removed from lineups and dropped from shallow leagues.
Week 8 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Wayne Gallman had 34 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries against the Eagles last week, adding 20 additional yards on five receptions. Those are better numbers than fellow backfield mate Devonta Freeman had, but 3.4 yards per carry still doesn’t inspire much confidence. Gallman is worth speculatively adding to the back end of deep-league rosters, but until we see him take the lead job officially, it’s hard to trust him. He’s especially a bad start against the Buccaneers fearsome run defense that just stifled Josh Jacobs a week ago. Sit him.
