Saturday’s college football slate gave New York Giants fans something bigger than just a wild box score or a headline-grabbing blowout in Gainesville: a fresh name to file away for 2027.
Florida running back Jadan Baugh put on a show in the Gators’ 66-21 rout of Florida Atlantic, and the performance only strengthened the case that he belongs on the Giants’ radar in the 2027 NFL Draft. If New York is serious about eventually reshaping its backfield, Baugh looks like the kind of runner who fits the conversation.
The Giants’ running back picture already feels unsettled. Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy Jr. don’t appear to be long-term locks, and it’s still too early to know what the team has in recently signed Najee Harris.
New York also passed on drafting a running back this year, a move that made sense given the other holes on the roster. Tracy had shown flashes across his first two seasons, and Skattebo was productive before a season-ending leg injury last October.
Baugh’s latest outing only added fuel to the idea that he could be a premium option next spring. Against a shaky FAU defense, the junior piled up 160 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 11.4 yards per carry.
He also brings a bigger resume than one big Saturday. Last season, Baugh produced 1,380 yards from scrimmage, including 1,170 on the ground and 210 through the air, and scored 10 touchdowns.
“He moves the chains when he needs to, but he also has the breakaway speed, vision, burst and overall shiftiness to hit home runs,” Kiper wrote. “And Baugh is impossible to bring down, with 81 forced missed tackles last season.”
There’s also the matter of opportunity in New York. Skattebo is the only running back on the Giants’ 53-man roster with multiple years of team control left.
Tracy Jr. is set to become a free agent after next season, while Harris and Devin Singletary are both due to hit the open market in March. If the Giants are willing to spend a first-round pick on a back, Baugh would walk into a situation where playing time - and maybe even starting snaps - would be there for the taking.
The question is where the Giants would actually be picking. Using a top-10 selection on a running back is a tricky business, and the franchise has already lived through that reality with Saquon Barkley. The Falcons have yet to finish above .500 in any of Bijan Robinson’s first three seasons, and the Raiders’ investment in Ashton Jeanty is already drawing questions.
For now, the next chance to see Baugh against a tougher opponent comes Sept. 19 at Auburn. If you’re not waiting that long, Florida hosts FCS Campbell next Saturday night.
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