Wayne Gallman succeeded from a fantasy football standpoint after filling in for Saquon Barkley and the New York Giants last season. Can he find a similar level of production on the San Francisco 49ers? On a team known for a committee approach, could Gallman be a potential steal in later rounds based on his fantasy outlook and ADP?
Wayne Gallman’s fantasy outlook for 2021
Gallman was not considered a starting-caliber fantasy player heading into last season. Coming into 2020, Gallman played 20% of the offensive snaps and had 250 total touches since entering the league in 2017. However, the lack of touches is not surprising considering Gallman shared a backfield with Saquon Barkley.
Still, Gallman got his shot last season. Barkley suffered a torn ACL in Week 2, and then Devonta Freeman went down in Week 7. Gallman became the starter. He capitalized by rushing 147 times for 682 yards and 6 TDs, along with 21 receptions on 27 targets for 114 yards.
From Week 7 through Week 13, Gallman scored a touchdown in every game as the RB6 in PPR formats (15.8 ppg). This success helped Gallman land a new role as a free agent by signing with the San Francisco 49ers on a one-year deal.
The problem for Gallman is that despite being out of the shadow of Barkley, he is still buried on the 49ers’ depth chart. Raheem Mostert is the projected starter, third-round pick Trey Sermon and Kyle Juszczyk are No. 2 and No. 3, and then it’s Gallman, Jeff Wilson Jr., and Elijah Mitchell.
To be fantasy-relevant, Gallman needs several injuries ahead of him on the depth chart. Those looking for a potential last-round value might want to look elsewhere — Gallman’s fantasy outlook is less than ideal.
Fantasy projection
The 49ers’ offense is one of the best teams to target for fantasy. Not only are they loaded with talent on offense, but they have an incredible defense and one of the best play-calling specialists in the game with Kyle Shanahan.
Since 2012, his offenses have finished inside the top five four separate times and only once outside the top 13. When you add that the 49ers have averaged 441.5 rush attempts per season (43.4%), that’s a valuable position to target in fantasy.
The problem, however, is that Shanahan will never use a singular back. At best, this will be a two-back approach between Mostert and Sermon. Also, eventually, Trey Lance will be under center, which could account for five designed carries per game.
According to training camp rumors, Gallman is actually on the 53-man roster bubble. While this could be the case, the 49ers may need to build depth at the position, given current and past injury concerns to other running backs.
Based on current projections, Gallman will have a limited role in 2021, recording around 25 to 30 carries, 110 to 120 yards, and a rushing score, while adding about 10 receptions for 70 yards.
Wayne Gallman’s ADP
According to Sleeper, Gallman has an ADP of 285 in PPR formats. On Fleaflicker, he has an ADP of 267.5. Similarly, on NFC (a high-stakes fantasy platform), Gallman has a 265.17 ADP.
If Gallman does fall victim to the numbers game, keep an eye on him to be picked up rather quickly. He could reunite with the New York Giants, as there are still lingering concerns with Barkley’s knee and the team playing “the long game.”
Should you draft Gallman in 2021 for fantasy?
Without an injury or two ahead of him, it’s difficult to see a path where Gallman should be on your roster. If those injuries do occur, Gallman could have RB2 upside. He succeeded in a similar role on an objectively worse offense last year.