The Giants may not be done reshaping their backfield, and that matters for Cam Skattebo.
New York has a few young pieces it’s trying to build around in this new era under John Harbaugh, with Jaxson Dart and Malik Nabers drawing the most attention. Skattebo belongs in that group too, but The Athletic’s Dan Duggan reported that the Giants are expected to look for another running back to add to the room.
That kind of move does not exactly scream full confidence in Skattebo as the lone answer.
Skattebo still appears positioned to lead the rotation, but the Giants are clearly open to bringing in help. His rookie year was interrupted by a dislocated ankle, though before the injury he was producing in a big way. In eight games, including five starts, he piled up 110 carries for 410 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
The question with Skattebo has never been whether he can run hard. He’s a downhill thumper, the kind of back who brings force and makes defenders feel him. That style can wear on a defense, but it also comes with a price.
New York already saw that play out over one season. And the current group of backs - Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary - doesn’t really feature a true jitterbug or explosive open-field threat. They’re more one-cut runners who get north and south, which leaves the backfield short on big-play juice.
That’s why the desire for a more “dynamic runner” stands out. It tells you the Giants know what they’re missing.
None of that means Skattebo is being pushed aside. He still should have a meaningful role.
But this report does suggest he may not be the clear bellcow some expected. The Giants want multiple answers in the backfield, and they’re going to keep looking for one.
Whether that happens before the season or during it, the running back room is worth watching - because if a new face arrives, Skattebo’s share of the carries could shrink.
In Other News...
Giants Camp Is Already Turning Up Pressure On Several Roster Names
Training camp is still in its early stretch, but there are already a handful of Giants roster names under a brighter spotlight than they probably wanted. Jaxson Dart has been working through the usual rookie growing pains while trying to get comfortable in the offense, Evan Neal has seen his reps trimmed, and Paulson Adebo has already lost his hold on a starting cornerback job. Ben Sauls is also in the middle of a kicking battle that figures to get tighter as camp moves forward.
None of it has reached the point of a move being made yet, which is what makes this part of camp so interesting. The Giants are still sorting through competition rather than making cuts, but these are the kinds of roles that can shift quickly once the preseason games start and the pressure stops being limited to practice fields. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Camp Has One Encouraging Trend And Two Lingering Concerns
Training camp has given the Giants at least one reason to feel upbeat, and it starts with Malik Nabers continuing to look like one of the most dynamic players on the field. As Jaxson Dart settles into a new offense shaped by multiple coaching influences, the bigger picture around the passing game still has some promising pieces. The rookie quarterback is navigating a system that asks a lot of him, but the early returns around Nabers suggest there is real upside once the operation starts to come together.
The more unsettled part of camp is on the other side of the ball, where the cornerback competition has become one of the rosters most closely watched battles. Greg Newsome II, Deonte Banks, Paulson Adebo and Colton Hood are all in the mix for playing time, and the Giants still have to sort out who fits best in the secondary. Roster pressure is adding another layer to the evaluation, with Jalin Hyatt emerging as a possible trade candidate if the numbers force a tough decision elsewhere. [Read more 🡒]