Early impressions of No. 6 overall pick Mailk Nabers suggest the New York Giants wide receiver has been turning heads all spring, but the former LSU standout isn’t the only rookie who could potentially make a major impact this season.
The Giants’ backfield — and offense at large, is going to look significantly different this season, following Saquon Barkley’s departure this offseason.
While veteran Devin Singletary could be counted on to carry a significant load in replicating the production lost with Barkley signing with the Philadelphia Eagles, one of New York’s incoming rookies may actually steal the show.
Tyrone Tracy Fighting for Starting Job in New York Giants’ Backfield
The Giants believe they have a legitimate weapon in fifth-round rookie and former Purdue hybrid running back and receiver Tyrone Tracy.
Tracy arrives in East Rutherford after averaging 430 yards from scrimmage per season and scoring 15 touchdowns during his five collegiate seasons.
In the earliest stages of training camp, reports say Tracy is taking some reps with the first-team offense, and, Pro Football Focus lists the 24-year-old as one of the five rookies across the league capable of stealing a starting job this summer.
“Tracy, a wide-receiver-turned-running-back, earned an elite 90.5 PFF rushing grade in his first season as a full-time back in 2023 at Purdue,” Trevor Sikkema writes for PFF. “He was previously at Iowa but didn’t consistently fit in their passing game plan. The Boilermakers’ coaching staff encouraged him to move to running back, and it turned out to be a wise switch.
“The Giants drafted Tracy in the fifth round after he tested as a high-percentile athlete at the NFL Scouting Combine. And based on New York’s depth chart, he has an easier path to cracking the starting lineup than is typical for a late-rounder. According to early camp reports, Tracy will have every chance to earn a starting job, or at least a heavy rotational role, heading into the season.”
It will likely take a committee approach to make up for losing Barkley, but it sure sounds like Tracy could play a significant role immediately in picking up the slack.
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