4 veterans for Panthers to target during third wave of free agency
By Dean Jones
Wayne Gallman – RB
- 2020 team – New York Giants
The Carolina Panthers will be seeing plenty of their former running back Mike Davis after he decided to stay in the NFC South and sign for the Atlanta Falcons, meaning a new primary backup to Christian McCaffrey needs to be found sooner rather than later. Hopefully, the All-Pro won’t suffer the same sort of injury problems that blighted his 2020 campaign, but they need to have a contingency plan in place for every eventuality.
Whether Rodney Smith, Trenton Cannon, or Reggie Bonnafon are going to make the necessary steps forward is up for debate. But looking into the prospect of bringing someone like Wayne Gallman on-board wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world by any stretch of the imagination.
Gallman was thrust into a primary role for the New York Giants last season when stud back Saquon Barkley suffered a serious injury that ended his campaign early. The former fourth-round pick gained 682 rushing yards and six touchdowns from 147 carries – which equates to 4.6 yards-per-carry – and also saw the player haul in 21 receptions from 27 targets for 114 receiving yards.
The running back market has been relatively quiet during free agency so far, with plenty of established veterans still looking for a new home. If the Panthers want to go this route rather than utilizing one of their NFL Draft picks on further reinforcements, then Gallman represents a player with experience and is still young enough to get better in the coming years.
McCaffrey will be the focal point, of that there is little doubt. But having a security blanket such as Gallman is vital moving forward of last season is any indication.