Jan 7, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll walks on the field before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Giants lost Saquon Barkley to the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency, and despite signing Devin Singletary and waiting until the fifth round to select Tyron Tracy out of Purdue, the backfield could still use some quality depth.
As OTAs and minicamps loom across the league, there are several veteran running backs still available who are plenty capable of providing quality carries in an offense that now features explosive wide receivers such as first-round pick Malik Nabers and second-year burner Jalin Hyatt on the perimeter dissuading defensies from loading the box.
According to Bleacher Report’s Joseph Zucker, the New York Giants are an ideal fit for former Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt.
“Devin Singletary has run for 800-plus yards in each of the last three seasons,” Zucker writes of the Giants’ backfield situation. “But isn’t a like-for-like replacement for Saquon Barkley. Eric Gray had 23 total touches as a rookie. Tyrone Tracy Jr., a 2024 fifth-round draft pick, only became a full-time running back in 2023.
“Although Singletary is clearly the No. 1 guy after signing a three-year, $16.5 million contract, New York would benefit from bringing in one more vet, and Hunt would slot in nicely as the backup.”
How Kareem Hunt Fits New York Giants
It’s easy to see why Hunt could be an ideal short-yardage back for the Giants, after all, as Pro Football Focus points out, Hunt averaged 2.17 yards after contact per carry last season.
Meanwhile, since Hunt will likely command a deal close to the veteran minimum, at this stage of the offseason, he could provide significant value as a change-of pace back alongside Singletary, Gray and Tracy.
Matt Lombardo is a seasoned NFL reporter, with over 12 years of experience covering the league.
In addition to his work at Gridiron Heroics, Lombardo covers the NFL for Heavy.com, is an on air sports contributor for FOX29 Philadelphia, and writes an NFL Substack "Between The Hashmarks."
Lombardo is the former Senior NFL Insider of FanBuzz, and prior to taking that role was a national NFL reporter at FanSided where he hosted a weekly podcast "The Matt Lombardo Show."
A former beat reporter for NJ Advance Media (Parent company of NJ.com and the Newark Star Ledger), Lombardo covered the Philadelphia Eagles from 2011 through the 2017 season before moving to cover the New York Giants for the Star Ledger for two seasons from 2018 through 2020.
During his career to date, Lombardo has covered five Super Bowls, four NFL Drafts, multiple NFL Combines, and has had his work frequently featured in publications such as Pro Football Talk, CBS Sports, and more.
In addition to his journalism work, Lombardo is a strong on air presence and is a former sports talk radio host on 97.5 FM The Fanatic, Philadelphia's first FM Sports Station and the radio home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers.