Giants’ RB Gamble: Can Rookies Skattebo & Tracy Deliver?
Can the New York Giants Finally Run the Ball? A Simple Breakdown of Their 2026 Ground Game Plan
Why Running the Ball Matters (Especially for a Young Quarterback)
Imagine you’re learning to ride a bike. It’s way easier if someone gives you a steady push from behind, right? That’s what a good running game does for a young quarterback—it gives the whole offense a helpful push.
New Giants Offensive Coordinator Matt Nagy puts it perfectly:
"I played quarterback my entire life, and having a run game is the friendliest thing in the world. You want to be able to run the football. Everybody says it, but you’ve got to be able to do it."
Since the Giants are developing young QB Jaxson Dart, establishing a strong ground game isn’t just nice—it’s essential.
The Problem: Last Year’s Running Game Was Stuck in Neutral
Here’s the not-so-fun report card from the 2025 season:
| Stat Category | League Rank | The Number |
|---|---|---|
| Yards Per Carry | 18th | 4.3 |
| Rushing Success Rate | 25th | Below average |
| Explosive Run Rate (12+ yards) | 16th | Middle of the pack |
Important Callout: Those numbers look okay at first glance—but they’re inflated by Jaxson Dart’s legs. He ran for 487 yards and 9 touchdowns himself.
Take the QB runs away, and the running backs’ stats get ugly fast:
- Yards Per Carry: 25th (4.0)
- Rushing Success Rate: 27th
- Explosive Run Rate: 20th
Translation: The actual running backs struggled to move the chains or break big plays.
The Offseason Fixes: New Blocks & Familiar Faces
The Giants didn’t sit around hoping things would magically improve. They went to work.
1. Building a Better Wall (Offensive Line)
- Francis Mauigoa — 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft (Guard)
- Patrick Ricard — Signed in free agency (Fullback, known for being a human bulldozer)
2. The Running Back Room: Band Getting Back Together
They looked at adding a star runner (more on that below), but ultimately stuck with their core three:
| Player | 2025 Highlights | Camp Buzz |
|---|---|---|
| Cam Skattebo | 487 yds, 5 TDs in 8 games before ankle injury | "Looks really good… improving every day" — Nagy |
| Tyrone Tracy Jr. | Converted from WR in college; smooth runner | "Super smooth guy that just does everything the right way" — Nagy |
| Devin Singletary | Veteran presence, reliable | "Had a great camp. You know exactly what he’s going to give you." — Harbaugh |
Bonus: Fan favorite Dante "Turbo" Miller is turning heads in camp too.
The "What If" Guys: Who They Could’ve Added
The Giants were linked to two explosive playmakers—but never seriously pursued either, per beat reporter Dan Duggan.
| Player | What Happened | Why They Mattered |
|---|---|---|
| Kenneth Walker III | Signed 3-year deal with Chiefs (2026 Super Bowl MVP!) | 10% explosive run rate — 2nd best among RBs with 200+ carries |
| Jeremiyah Love | Drafted #3 overall by Cardinals (2 picks before Giants) | 49 plays of 10+ yards — 3rd most in college football (per Dane Brugler) |
The common trait? Explosiveness—exactly what the Giants lacked.
The Missing Ingredient: Explosive Plays & Yards After Contact
Explosive Runs (12+ yards) — 2025 Season
| Team | Explosive Run Rate | Total Explosive Runs |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Ravens (Harbaugh’s old team) | 12.4% (1st) | 39 |
| NY Giants RBs | 8.3% (18th) | 24 |
| Giants RBs Weeks 2–7 (Skattebo healthy) | 6.9% (21st) | 7 |
Yards After Contact Per Rush — 2025 Season
| Group | Yards After Contact | League Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Giants RBs (full season) | 2.68 | 30th (near bottom!) |
| Giants RBs (Weeks 2–7, Skattebo lead) | 2.74 | 24th |
| Skattebo alone (Weeks 2–7) | 3.09 | 19th among qualified RBs |
Bottom line: Giants backs rarely broke tackles or turned 3-yard runs into 15-yard gains.
Reasons for Optimism: Why 2026 Could Be Different
It’s not all doom and gloom. Several factors suggest a jump forward is coming:
- Year 2 Leap — Skattebo & Tracy both get a full offseason in an NFL system
- New Coaching Brains —
- John Harbaugh (Head Coach, built Ravens’ elite run game)
- Matt Nagy (OC, former QB who values the run)
- Greg Roman (Senior Offensive Assistant, run-game guru)
- Better Blocking — Mauigoa + Ricard + another year of cohesion up front
- Scheme Variety — New staff = new designs to create holes & mismatch defenders
Nagy on the run game: "I like what we’re doing… we think we have a good idea [of our identity]."
Summary: The Big Picture in Plain English
- The Giants must run the ball better to help young QB Jaxson Dart develop.
- Last year’s RB production was below average, especially without Dart’s scrambles.
- They didn’t add a star RB, but kept a promising trio (Skattebo, Tracy, Singletary) + added a mauling fullback and a top-10 guard.
- Explosiveness was the missing trait—they ranked near the bottom in big runs and yards after contact.
- New coaches with proven run-game track records + healthier, more experienced backs = realistic hope for a much better ground game in 2026.
FAQ: Your Burning Questions, Answered Simply
1. Why didn’t the Giants sign Kenneth Walker III or draft Jeremiyah Love?
They were "linked" in rumors but never seriously pursued either. The coaching staff seems to genuinely like their current group and only wanted to add a back if he brought something different (like elite explosiveness) that the room lacked.
2. Is Cam Skattebo fully healthy after that scary ankle injury?
All signs point to yes. He’s splitting first-team reps, looking "really good" per Nagy, and improving daily. He’s listed as a co-starter on the first depth chart.
3. What does "explosive run rate" actually mean?
It’s the percentage of runs that go for 12+ yards. Think of it as "home run hitting ability" for running backs. The Giants want more of these to stress defenses and score faster.
4. How much does Greg Roman actually matter?
A lot. He’s one of the NFL’s most respected run-game architects (designed Lamar Jackson’s MVP offense in Baltimore). Having him as a senior assistant is like hiring a master chef to consult on your kitchen.
5. Can Tyrone Tracy Jr. really be a feature back after playing WR in college?
Yes! That’s actually a plus—he has natural pass-catching skills and open-field elusiveness most traditional backs lack. Nagy calls him "super smooth." He’s earning real trust in camp.
Final Thought: The ingredients are there—talented backs, a nastier line, and brilliant run-game minds. Now it’s about baking the cake. If the Giants can generate just a few more explosive runs per game, the whole offense (and Jaxson Dart) will breathe a lot easier.