Big Blue View
This is not a high priority, but cheap depth is always welcome
The New York Giants found a true contributor in Tyrone Tracy Jr. with their fifth-round pick in last year’s draft. Tracy Jr. amassed more than 1,000 total yards with six touchdowns and averaged 4.4 yards per carry with 34 missed tackles forced. He effectively took the primary role away from last year’s free agent addition, Devin Singletary, after the veteran missed two games with a groin injury.
Singletary signed a three-year $16.5 million contract with $9.5 million guaranteed last year. He rushed for 437 yards (3.9 yards per carry) with four touchdowns. His role was significantly scaled back toward the end of the season.
It’s unlikely the Giants will sign a running back of significance in free agency with Tracy, Singletary and Eric Gray still under contract, but here are five possible contributors who may make sense for Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll.
The Chicago Bears traded Herbert to the Cincinnati Bengals for a seventh-round pick in early November last season. Herbert fell out of favor in Chicago but only earned 112 snaps over eight appearances for the Bengals.
The 26-year-old, 5-foot-9, 212-pound back, has plenty of redeeming qualities as a rusher. He’s quick enough to gain the edge on outside runs and physical enough to run in between the tackles while possessing a solid enough skill set in the passing game. Herbert has rushed for 1,906 yards (4.8 yards per carry) with nine total touchdowns and just two fumbles in his career.
Herbert has a 3.08 yards after contact average — it’s just his 2024 numbers were abysmally bad in their small sample size (1.83 YCO/A and 2 missed tackles forced). Prior to 2024, Herbert had three years of above-average play with several traits that running backs need to be successful.
Spotrac has Herbert’s market value set for $2 million on a one-year deal. He would be an upgrade over Gray, and still possesses upside. He’s not a terrible option if the Giants desire to add a running back in free agency.
Abdullah may be the quintessential third-back in a rotation over the last several years. He backed up Josh Jacobs and Zamir White from 2022-2023 and impressed whenever he earned snaps, especially as a pass catcher. He seized the starting role toward the end of the 2024 season when White fell out of favor, and Alexander Mattison was injured.
Abdullah averaged more than 5.4 yards per carry in his final two games of the year. He finished the 2024 season with 311 rushing yards (4.7 YPC) with two rushing touchdowns. He added 261 yards and three touchdowns through the air. The 31-year-old also worked with Giants’ offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo for two seasons in Las Vegas.
Abdullah’s tape was solid last season with the Raiders, and Spotrac has his contract at just $1.8 million over one season. Like many on this list, he would push Gray for...
