4 Running Backs the Giants Can Sign to Pair With Devin Singletary
The NFL free agency tampering period has officially commenced, the deals are happening everywhere, and the New York Giants have been making headlines.
While many fans were hoping that the team would find common ground with Saquon Barkley, that is no longer an option, after the former No. 2 overall pick in 2018 inked a three-year deal with $26 million in guarantees from the Philadelphia Eagles in the early hours of legal negotiations.
Along with their No. 1 ball carrier departing for a division rival, the team is unlikely to re-sign Matt Brieda, who is an unrestricted free agent, and have no solid gap threaders in the rest of their ranks. The need for acquiring a replacement for Barkley that is No. 1 caliber and can handle the workload will be crucial for the Giants to get a positive grade on the offseason at large.
Devin Singletary was signed as a replacement for Barkley, but that doesn't mean the backfield needs have been fully addressed.
With Brieda gone and Singletary not being nearly the workhorse Saquon was, the Giants can't afford to head into the 2024 season without a solid RB2 option.
The good thing is that the free agent market is loaded with options for the running back position with up to 40 players vying for new deals with new cities. Before they look towards prospects in April’s draft, here are the top 5 that could be good and fair priced pickups for the change of scenery in the backfield.
1. Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings
Alexander Mattison was overshadowed until he got his turn to command the Minnesota Vikings backfield after Dalvin Cook was released during the 2023 season. Yet, he did fairly well with his opportunity and is another free agent on the radar for a cheaper contract.
In his fifth year with the Vikings, Mattison collected 180 carries for 700 yards and averaged 3.9 yards per carry, the third best average of his career. He also added 30 catches for 192 yards and three touchdowns in the passing game, making him a dual threat back that can impact the Giants offense in a number of ways.
Mattison could be a nice addition for short yardage scenarios, one aspect that has haunted New York in recent seasons behind a lackluster offensive line. He totaled 28 first downs in limited reps to start the year behind Cook, and has matched that number in one other season since 2019.
Most of his rushing work came in zone rushing schemes last fall, where he has the shiftiness to beat the edge defender to the outside and find the space. Mattison had 37 missed tackles in 117 zone carries and averaged 2.76 yards after contact, turning it into 17 10+ yard gains and 118 breakaway yards for a feisty offense in Minnesota.
In his most recent contract extension in March 2023, Mattison earned two years and $7 million which is right within the Giants wheelhouse for a running back signing. He is someone the Giants should look into for depth if not a starter on the 2024 roster, in addition to a player who can impact both sides of the offense a la Barkley.