New York Giants Draft Preview: Running Back
Will the New York Giants take a running back during the 2016 NFL Draft? We break down their current situation at the position heading into the draft and the likelihood of one being selected.
The New York Giants had a strong start to their offseason with a spending spree to start free agency. But, if the Giants want to truly have a great offseason, they will need to find some success in the NFL Draft beginning Thursday. The Giants have a few holes remaining that they would like to fill, and the draft will afford them that chance.
For this article and others to follow, we will break down the current outlook by position for the Giants, and how much of a need it will be heading into the 2016 NFL Draft. The second position we will take a look at is running back.
Current Depth Chart:
The running back position was a dumpster fire for most of 2015 for the Giants. They would not commit to one player as the lead back, basically going with a four-man rotation throughout most of the season. Jennings was the starter in name only, as he had to split carries throughout the season with the other three running backs.
The running game has been a problem for the Giants for the last two seasons, as they ran for 1,603 yards in 2014 and 1,609 in 2015. They were finally able to get something going at the end of the season with Jennings, but it was too late. Jennings averaged 5.5 yards per carry the final four games of the season, gaining 432 yards on 79 carries, scoring two touchdowns.
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Jennings should once again be the starter, and hopefully the Giants utilize him more as the lead back. The Giants wasted carries giving them to Andre Williams, who regressed in his second season in the NFL. Williams fails to use his size to his advantage, rarely breaking tackles for extra yardage. His 2.9 yards per carry is enough to move him down the depth chart, while his inability to succeed in short yardage situations is also frustrating.
Shane Vereen was brought in to be the passing back, but was under utilized during the season as well. A jack of all trades, Vereen wasn’t a part of the Giants gameplan as much as people thought that he would be, as he too often was a ghost while on the field. Darkwa didn’t receive many carries, but he made the most of them when he did. He should probably be the backup to Jennings instead of Williams.
Rainey was signed away from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason, and should factor into the passing game as well. He can help out on special teams as well, and will be fighting for a roster spot this offseason.
With five running backs already on the roster, some would say that the Giants would probably avoid taking a running back in the 2016 NFL Draft. But, those people do not know the Giants too well then, as the Giants almost always select a running back at some point in the draft.
It is not always as early as David Wilson was selected, as he was their first round pick in 2012, but a running back usually hears their name called by the Giants. The Giants have selected a running back in seven of the last 10 drafts, selecting one in four consecutive years before ending that streak last season.
Do not be shocked if the Giants begin another streak this season. It would be difficult for them to pass up on Ezekiel Elliot if he falls to them at No.10, as he brings a complete game to the backfield. But, with five guys already on the roster at the position, using your top pick on a running back, no matter how good a prospect he looks to be, would be tough to stomach as Jerry Reese is probably drafting for his job this season.
Instead, the Giants could look in the later rounds for a running back. One player to keep an eye on later in the draft is Illinois’ Josh Ferguson. There are also rumors that the Giants have South Carolina running back Brandon Wilds in their target once the sixth round rolls around. Both players have the chops to turn into contributors in the passing game, where the Giants could use some weapons.
Next: New York Giants Seven-Round Mock Draft
Right now, the likelihood of the Giants selected a running back in the 2016 NFL Draft, on a scale of 1-10, is about a six. The Giants do not look like they are in a position to add one early in the draft, but once we hit Day 3, the Giants could start looking to add talent to their backfield.