Heading into the 2025 season, the Giants are coming off another incredible disappointing campaign, which saw them go 3-14 and take another step in the wrong direction, putting GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll firmly on the hot seat. But as the team heads into 2025, there’s optimism that the Giants will be an improved squad.
In this series, we’ll break down the depth chart for every position group. This time, we’ll go in-depth at the running back spot…
Projected depth chart
Starters: Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Backups: Devin Singletary, Cam Skattebo, Eric Gray, Dante Miller, Rushawn Baker
Key additions/losses: Drafted Skattebo in fourth round
Top Performer in 2024: Tracy, with 1,123 yards from scrimmage, six total touchdowns
What Giants running backs have going for them
Heading into the 2024 season, the Giants believed that Singletary, a free agent signing, was going to be their lead back. For the first four weeks, that was the case, and Singletary had some success, including a 95-yard performance in Week 2 against Washington. But Singletary suffered a groin injury heading into Week 5, giving Tracy an opportunity to be the lead back.
And the rookie quite literally took his chance and ran with it.
Tracy ran for 129 yards on 18 carries against Seattle in Week 5, and the starting job was his from that point on. Tracy ran for 839 yards and five touchdowns on the season, averaging 4.4 yards per carry, and the fifth-round pick now heads into 2025 as the clear lead back.
But while Tracy is leading the way, fans can still expect to see a good amount of Singletary and Skattebo, this year’s fourth-round pick. Singletary averaged just 3.9 yards per carry last season, but his career average of 4.5 tells you that he’s more than capable of breaking off big runs when called upon. Then there’s Skattebo, who was a bruising back during his time at Arizona State. It’ll be interesting to see exactly how the Giants use Skattebo, but he seems perfectly suited for goal-to-go and other short-yardage situations.
On paper, this could be as deep a running back group as the Giants have had in quite some time, and a good running game will be a huge help to Russell Wilson,Jaxson Dart, or whoever is under center for Big Blue.
Key concern for 2025: Can Tracy prove 2024 wasn’t a flash in the pan?
Tracy was undoubtedly fantastic as a rookie, but it will be worth watching if teams are better prepared for him in his second season in the league. Tracy isn’t going to be sneaking up on opposing defenses after proving last season that he can be a a major weapon.
The other key thing to remember about Tracy is that last season was only his third as a full-time running back. During his three seasons at Iowa, Tracy was a wide receiver. He transferred to Purdue and played two seasons at running back for the Boilermakers and is now firmly entrenched as a running back in the NFL, but it’s fair to wonder how his body will respond to last year’s full workload as an NFL
Player who must step up in 2025: Singletary
Singletary signed a three-year, $16.5 million contract with the Giants last offseason. He ended up losing his starting job, in part due to injury and in part due to Tracy’s success in his absence, but the Giants would certainly like to see more out of him in 2025.
Singletary racked up 437 yards and four touchdowns last season, but he could make even more of an impact in 2025.
Biggest camp battle: Singletary vs. Skattebo
Singletary will likely head into the regular season as the No. 2 back behind Tracy, but Skattebo could easily leapfrog him if he impresses during camp and the preseason.
Skattebo scored a whopping 30 touchdowns in two seasons at Arizona State, and if he brings that nose for the end zone to the NFL, Skattebo will force the Giants’ hand in when it comes to giving him playing time.
Overall 2025 outlook
A lot of eyes are on the Giants’ quarterback position, and rightfully so with Russell Wilson, Jaxson Dart, and Jameis Winston all new in town. Because of that, the Giants’ running back group may be flying a bit under the radar.
Tracy is a young stud, coming off a breakout rookie season. Singletary is seasoned vet with something to prove. And Skattebo is a wrecking ball who could be a true wild card for Big Blue.
The Giants are going to need to have a solid running game to take pressure of the passing attack, and this trio seems poised to answer the bell.
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