At the start of Day 3of the NFL draft, the Giants added a bruiser — and one of the most popular players in college football.
Running back Cam Skattebo was the pick near the top of the fourth round, and he brings a running style that is sure to make him a fan favorite.
It was no secret the Giants wanted to add to a running back room that included Tyrone Tracy Jr., veteran Devin Singletary and not much else.
The middle rounds is where general manager Joe Schoen believes is prime real estate to get a running back, and he struck quickly Saturday to bring in reinforcements for the offense.
Skattebo broke out for Arizona State in 2024, rushing for a school-record 1,711 yards and 21 touchdowns and amassing 2,316 all-purpose yards.
He can catch the ball out of the backfield. At 5-foot-91/2 and 219 pounds, he does not possess blazing speed and most likely will not run away from NFL defensive backs.
In the college game, that did not matter much, as Skattebo simply broke tackles or ran through defenders. He has a compact body with tree-trunk legs and scouts say he plays more like a linebacker than a running back. Instead of shying away from contact, he relishes it.
This pick comes one year after the Giants selected Tracy in the fifth round. That proved to be excellent value, as Tracy finished second among all NFL rookies with 839 rushing yards.
Now, the Giants have a one-two punch with Tracy and Skattebo.
Cam Skattebo wearing a Giants hat. @Blakes_Take2/X
What happens with Singletary remains to be seen.
The 27-year old started only five games in 2024 and was limited to only 113 rushing attempts and 437 yards. He is scheduled to count $6.25 million on the salary cap and is signed through 2026.
Having a fifth-round pick and a fourth-round pick in the backfield is Schoen’s preferred way to build an offense.
The previous Giants regime selected Saquon Barkley with the No. 2 overall pick in 2018 and, despite periods of excellence mixed in with injuries, Barkley after six years could not come to contract terms with the Giants, signed with the Eagles, rushed for 2,005 yards in the regular season and won a Super Bowl.
