Giants 2024 position analysis: New-look running back group looks to make an impact

Heading into the 2024 season, the Giants are coming off a disappointing 6-11 season, trying to bounce back on the team that won a playoff game in Minnesota two years ago.

In this series, we will break down the depth chart for each position group. This time, let’s delve deeper into the running back position…

Projected Depth Chart

Beginner: Single Devin

Backups: Eric Gray, Tyrone Tracy Jr, Jashaun Corbin, Dante Miller

Main additions/losses: Singletary signed, Saquon Barkley signed with the Eagles

Best performance in 2023: Barkley, who had 962 yards and six rushing touchdowns

2024 classification via PFF: 30th out of 32 participants

What the Giants running backs have going for them

Over the past six seasons, the Giants’ running back group has always worried about Barkley, and for good reason, considering the Giants used the second overall pick on him in 2018. But Barkley is now a Philadelphia Eagles, and the Giants have a new running back prospect for the first time in a long time.

On the steps Singletary, who had five solid but unspectacular seasons with Buffalo and Houston. He’s coming off the best season of his career from a pure yardage standpoint, racking up 898 yards with four touchdowns. For his career, Singletary has averaged a strong 4.6 yards per carry, and if he can stay healthy, there’s no reason to think he can’t put up similar numbers.

The other hope for the Giants is that the offensive line is better than in years past, but that has been a hope for countless years.

Main concern for 2024: Depth

While Singletary will get most of the carries, the big question for Big Blue is how much depth is there behind him?

The giants took Eric Gray in the fifth round last year, but had a rather disappointing season, gaining just 48 yards on 17 carries. It’s hard to imagine Gray having much of an impact in 2024.

But the Giants drafted another running back in the fifth round this year, selecting Purdue’s Tyrone Tracy Jr. with pick No. 166. Tracy was second-team All-Big Ten as a return specialist and was honorable mention all-conference as a running back . Tracy probably figures more in the special teams picture, but could be a change of pace out of the backfield.

Player who should rise in 2024: Gray

Gray had a chance as a punt and kick returner for the Giants last year, but he struggled there and struggled overall with fumbles. Gray touched the ball a total of 23 times last year and fumbled three times.

It’s pretty clear that if Gray doesn’t show signs of changing, he won’t be wearing a Giants uniform much longer.

The biggest camp battle: Gray vs. Tracy

The Giants need to have a solid backup plan behind Singletary, and right now it’s hard to say they have one on the roster. Maybe GM Joe Schoen will go out during minicamp or training camp and bring another veteran back, similar to Matt Breida-type backs that the Giants have had in the past.

But for now, Gray and Tracy appear to be the two competing for second place, although perhaps Corbin could also be a factor.

General outlook for 2024

When Barkley was in the backfield, there was always the idea that he could score a touchdown on any play. He was that type of explosive playmaker.

But right now the Giants probably don’t have that kind of explosiveness in the running back room. Singletary was a good signing and is a reliable defender, without a doubt. But how productive he can be and what the Giants have to offer behind him.

Right now, there are more question marks than answers in the Giants’ back room.