49ers depth chart: 5 players who won’t be on the roster in Week 1
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: 49ers Running Back Wayne Gallman
San Francisco signing former New York Giants running back Wayne Gallman to a one-year deal during the offseason prior to the NFL Draft was a smart move at the time.
After all, the 26-year-old Gallman performed well last year in relief of the G-Men’s starting running back, Saquon Barkley, who was lost early in the year because of an ACL tear. And as far as Gallman’s fit in Kyle Shanahan’s offense, the outside-zone tendencies seemed to fit what Gallman does well.
Yet that was before the 49ers drafted rushers Trey Sermon and Elijah Mitchell in Rounds 3 and 6, respectively, and one might figure a run-heavy Niners squad would want to invest more chances in players who could factor into the offense over the next few years rather than focus on Gallman.
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In addition to those three, San Francisco also has returning veterans like Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr. and JaMycal Hasty. Hasty also suffered a torn ACL late in 2020, so he might be shelved on an injury list when Week 1 rolls around.
That still leaves five running backs poised to make the roster. Mostert is still a large piece of the offense, while Sermon and, at least to a lesser extent, Mitchell both have promise. The 49ers know and like Wilson’s toughness and abilities as a pass-catcher.
Considering Gallman has zero in guaranteed money on his own deal, he’s likely on the outs.