The New York Giants let star running back Saquon Barkley walk this past offseason, a move that saddened co-owner John Mara but will likely benefit the franchise in the long run.
That is because general manager Joe Schoen shifted the team’s roster priorities, opting to go with a committee approach at running back rather than rely on an expensive veteran to carry the load.
The move is more economical and possibly could be more productive. Schoen went out and signed a top back who understands the Giants’ offense in former Buffalo Bill Devin Singletary and then drafted Purdue’s Tyrone Tracy Jr. on Day 3 of this year’s NFL draft.
Tracy, a former wide receiver at Iowa who became a running back after transferring to Purdue, is already creating a buzz with his versatility.
Veteran Giants beat reporter Art Stapleton believes that Tracy could come right out of the gate and help the Giants’ offense get straight in multiple ways, just like rookie Jahmyr Gibbs did with the Detroit Lions last year.
The opportunity is certainly there as an offensive weapon, and his experience as a wide receiver should help ease the transition in the passing game where other young backs may struggle.
If you want a high-end comparison for the type of impact Tracy could have, and why he’s on this list, here goes:
I think the Giants could use Tracy the way the Lions used Jahmyr Gibbs, the electric first-round running back who finished his rookie season with 1,216 yards from scrimmage and 11 touchdowns. Could the tandem of David Montgomery and Gibbs in Detroit provide a blueprint for the Giants with Devin Singletary and Tracy?
The Detroit situation was a solid one for them last season. They ended up in the NFC Championship Game for the first time in 30 years with Montgomery running inside and Gibbs doing the rest.
Also of note, the Giants have a completely new outlook on their running back room. The new position coach, Joel Thomas, comes over from the New Orleans Saints. He has a track record of developing versatile backs, such as Alvin Kamara — one of the top all-purpose backs in the NFL over the past decade.
