Week three of my underestimated player spotlight focuses on an offensive player who is truly outshined on his team. It is hard to sit behind a star player, but this athlete still produces when on the field, and has for past teams as well. This week’s Underestimated Player Spotlight is about Matt Breida, a veteran running back for the New York Giants.
Underestimated Player Spotlight: College
Running back Matt Breida played at Georgia Southern University for three years before the entering NFL. According to Sports Reference, Breida totaled 3,740 yards and 40 touchdowns in just three years. This is a very impressive stat, specifically the number of touchdowns scored. 18 of the touchdowns were in his sophomore year of college, the most of the three seasons played. 37 were scored by rushing the ball, and three were from a reception.
Breida’s best season was his junior year in 2015 where he totaled 17 touchdowns and 1,609 rushing yards in 203 attempts. He also had three receptions for six yards. It is clear from these statistics that the school trusted him and heavily relied on Breida to get the ball downfield. Georgia Southern is in the Sun Belt conference which means they face a weaker competition level, but in 2015, the team did play in a bowl game. Playing in a weaker conference makes Breida a great athlete to feature in my underestimated player spotlight.
Underestimated Player Spotlight: Career
Breida joined the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the San Francisco 49ers in 2017. Being an undrafted free agent and finding success is the perfect prospect for an underestimated player spotlight. The 49ers signed him after they were impressed by his abilities during the 2017 NFL combine. When talking with Breida, they asked the running back to give himself a scouting report, and they enjoyed hearing his answer. Part of his response was that he is a guy who will get the job done. For a more in-depth answer read the 49ers’ report on him here.
Breida is in his sixth year in the NFL, and while he now sits behind running back Saquon Barkley, he is still an excellent player. He has been with four teams throughout his NFL career: the 49ers, Dolphins, Bills, and currently the Giants. He was with San Francisco the longest, at three years, including 2019 when the 49ers made the Super Bowl.
In the five years, including 2022, Breida has totaled 2,349 yards and seven touchdowns, according to ESPN. Perhaps if he had more scoring plays in the NFL, he would not be in the underestimated player spotlight and more people would take notice of him. Breida has also totaled 773 total receiving yards. The running back is quick, and defenders tend to not prioritize him over team starters, resulting in the ability to get open quick for some easy yards.
Underestimated Player Spotlight: This Season
It is completely understandable that Breida is not a starter for the New York Giants with a healthy Saquon Barkley. Barkley is the team’s starting running back, but when he needs to step out to rest, Breida is very reliable to gain positive yards for the team.
Breida has totaled 21 rushing attempts for 68 yards, according to Pro Football Reference. He has yet to score a touchdown this season, understanding Barkley is normally the running back in for plays in the red zone. The running back also has five receptions for 44 yards, which is not bad for a second-string player.
The Giants are set to face the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday in Lumen Field. Breida is no stranger to playing in that stadium after spending three years with their division rivals, the 49ers. Be sure to watch this week’s underestimated player spotlight, and maybe this will be the weekend Matt Breida gets his first touchdown of the season.
For more NFL and NCAA football content:
Check out my most recent article about what went wrong in the student section of the 2022 Penn State White Out and how dangerous it was for students. Also, check out my last underestimated player spotlight to see who I chose last week.
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