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NFL Draft 2017: 5 most underrated prospects to keep an eye on

By Jerran Anderson

Nov 19, 2016; Greenville, NC, USA; East Carolina Pirates wide receiver Zay Jones (7) makes a second quarter catch against Navy Midshipmen linebacker Justin Norton (5) to break the all time FBS record tying catch for receptions against the Navy Midshipmen at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Greenville, NC, USA; East Carolina Pirates wide receiver Zay Jones (7) makes a second quarter catch against Navy Midshipmen linebacker Justin Norton (5) to break the all time FBS record tying catch for receptions against the Navy Midshipmen at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers running back Wayne Gallman (9) runs with the ball against Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Raekwon McMillan (5) at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers running back Wayne Gallman (9) runs with the ball against Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Raekwon McMillan (5) at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

The Clemson Tigers offense made a lot of positive strides in 2015 and 2016. A lot of it fell on the shoulders of running back Wayne Gallman. The early draft entrant is one of the more underrated running backs in this year’s NFL Draft.

Gallman ran for 1,000+ yards and 30 rushing touchdowns in the past two seasons for the Tigers. He ran for a career-high 17 rushing touchdowns although his workload went down a bit in the carries department (232) in 2016. In 2015, he ran for 1,514 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns. The Tigers offense averaged 222.7 rushing yards that season.

Gallman still led the team in rushing yards last season and was fourth in the ACC. With a 6-foot and 215-pound frame, he’s shown he has the ability to get tough yardage at the second level. Although the team dialed back his carries a season ago, he still finished fourth in the conference. He was first in the conference with 282 carries in 2015.

The junior running back came up big in keys games for the Tigers last season. He ran a 4.6 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. But his ability to carry the ball in open space is more effective than his breakaway speed. As a late-round pick, he serves as a running back with something to prove in 2017.

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