Big Blue View
Could Sanders add some physicality and speed to the Giants’ running game?
The New York Giants are in a pretty good place at running back. Tyrone Tracy is the likely starter going forward after seizing on his opportunity as a rookie, while Devin Singletary, is a steady veteran who’s useful in most situations.
But what the Giants are lacking in their backfield is size and power. Tracy is their biggest listed back at 211 pounds, but he doesn’t run like a power back. If the Giants want to run an explosive offense that attacks vertically, they might want to find a power back who can force the defense to choose between stacking the box or defending the pass.
Enter Reheim Sanders from South Carolina. The 6-foot, 230-pound Sanders started his career at Arkansas and garnered All-SEC honors as a freshman and sophomore at Arkansas. Despite his size and punishing running style, Sanders has rare speed in the open field and a knack for generating gains — which led to him gaining the nickname “Rocket”
Could Sanders inject some rocket fuel into the Giants’ offense?
Prospect: Raheim Sanders
Games Watched:
Red Flags: Knee (2023)
Height: 6-foot (estimated)
Weight: 230 pounds (estimated)
Best traits
Sanders is a big, strong, and surprisingly fast running back prospect. Sanders is 6-foot, 230 pounds with obvious power in his upper and lower halves. And while he looks like a traditional lumbering power back, he earns his nickname “Rocket” when he can square his pads and get a couple steps downhill.
Sanders has impressive long speed for a big back and is a threat to generate big plays any time he touches the ball and finds a bit of space. He’s rarely caught from behind and can simply run away from most linebackers and many safeties. Of course, Sanders also has plenty of power to serve as a short-yardage or power back. He’s willing to run behind his pads and has the competitive toughness to grind out the tough yards. He has the vision to find and follow his blockers, as well as the contact balance to disregard incidental contact and arm tackles.
He’s able to push the pile at the line of scrimmage as well as punish second- and third-level defenders. South Carolina also used him almost like a fullback on occasion and had him lead block for quarterback and receiver runs.
Sanders is also an asset in the passing game. He wasn’t asked to run a diverse route tree but executed the routes he was asked to run well. He’s a “hands” catcher who frames the ball well and securely tucks it away before turning upfield. Sanders is also a capable pass protector.
Worst traits
Sanders is a linear athlete, which will limit his scheme fit and could make him a feast or famine player at...
