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Giants' deep running back room sets up camp battles

The New York Giants will report to training camp on July 22 as they seek to restore credibility to the franchise following a 2024 season that saw the team set a new record for losses.

There’s optimism that the team will fare better this season since they acquired future Hall of Fame quarterback Russell Wilson. But for the Giants to have success, they’re also going to need more from their running game, which finished 23rd in the league last year.

The team drafted Cam Skattebo from Arizona State in the fourth round, making the running back position one of the deepest and most talented on the roster. It will be interesting to see how head coach Brian Daboll utilizes his running backs this summer, as he will have to make some difficult cuts at the end of training camp.

Here’s a look at the Giants running back position ahead of training camp.

Locks to make team: Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Cam Skattebo

Time will tell how many backs will make the final roster, but the two locks are Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Skattebo.

As a rookie in 2024, Tracy supplanted Devin Singletary as the starter and led the team in rushing with 839 yards while finishing fourth on the team in receptions with 38. The Giants feel he will have an even more productive second season, which could result in his first career 1,000-yard rushing season.

Skattebo will obviously make the team, and at minimum, he’ll be New York’s short-yardage and goal-line back. But he should also see playing time spelling Tracy, as he is a strong and physical runner who can make plays catching the ball as well.

The team is hopeful that Tracy and Skattebo will evoke memories of the running back tandem of Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw, who spearheaded the ground game for two Super Bowl victories.

X-factor: Devin Singletary

Although he lost his starting job last season, Singletary still showed that he’s a productive and versatile back. More importantly, he’s very familiar with Daboll’s system and can help mentor younger players.

With the addition of Skattebo, some may feel Singletary could be traded this summer as the two would have similar roles on the team. But the 50-year-old head coach may want to keep a veteran presence in the backfield rather than rely on just a back in his second season and a rookie. In addition, Singletary’s guaranteed contract this season of $3.5 million makes it unlikely that the team would cut him and eat his deal.

Unless a team offers the Giants significant draft compensation in a trade, it’s almost a lock that he’ll be on the team this season.

Players on the bubble

Eric Gray

Big Blue took Eric Gray in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft (172nd overall), and to this point, he’s been a non-factor in the backfield. In his two years with the team, he’s carried the ball 31 times for 79 yards. What might save Gray from being cut is that he’s used on kickoff returns, as he returned 21 kicks last season for 554 yards.

Dante “Turbo” Miller

New York Giants running back Dante Miller

Dante Miller earned the nickname “Turbo” because of his exceptional speed. Miller missed out on making the team after training camp last season, but the team brought him back, and he was active for two games. He will need to stand out on special teams if he has any hope of making the roster.

Rushawn Baker

The 6-foot, 225-pound Rushawn Baker from Elon University is the biggest back that will be at camp this summer and is a tough and physical runner. However, making the team is a long shot given the fact of where he currently stands on the depth chart, and the investment the team has made in the other backs ahead of him.

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