The New York Giants 2024 campaign didn’t exactly produce a ton of positive takeaways after a disappointing 3-14 season, but one of the few bright spots from last year was the emergence of rookie RB Tyrone Tracy Jr.
After the Giants drafted a talented running back prospect early in round four of the 2025 NFL Draft, is Tracy being overlooked entering the upcoming season?
Tyrone Tracy Jr. Great Rookie Year is Being Overlooked and Underappreciated
When a rookie running back who was selected on Day 3 of the NFL Draft finishes with over 1,000 total yards and six scores over 230 total touches on a bad offense, you know the Giants could have truly found a diamond in the rough.
Stephen Lebitsch of Sports Illustrated even mentioned Tracy Jr. could be a player who could break out in 2025, while still appropriately bringing up how the team parted ways with dynamic runner Saquon Barkley last offseason.
Lebitsch wrote, “When the New York Giants ultimately lost Saquon Barkley in free agency, joining the biggest divisional rival, the Philadelphia Eagles, the teamâs backfield looked like it would be in shambles ahead of the 2024 season.”
The fact Tracy’s high level of play managed to give Giants’ fans signs of hope in the post-Barkley era less than one year removed from losing Saquon to a division rival feels like an accomplishment in itself.
Lebitsch added, “Little did the general manager realize his selection would become arguably one of the best steals of that draft class. Tracy would lead the Giants in rushing production and form a promising young tandem with fellow draftee and first-round wide receiver Malik Nabers.”
Tracy’s noteworthy impact as a running back in the NFL becomes all the more impressive when you realize he hasn’t been playing that position for very long. He moved from wide receiver to running back shortly after transferring to Purdue to finish out his college career.
Lebitsch detailed Tracy’s days as a receiver in college by writing, “For Tracyâs half of the bargain, he carried the pigskin 192 times for 839 yards (4.4 average) and five touchdowns with an average of 49.4 yards per contest. His dual-threat background as a collegiate pass catcher enabled him to add another 38 catches on 53 targets for 284 yards and a touchdown. ”
Tracy averaging over four years per carry behind a middling offensive line is very encouraging given he has a real shot at being even better in the future with more reps at running back.
Lebitsch concluded, “With his ability to shed tacklers and fight for extra yardage, Tracy gave the Giants 18 runs of 10+ yards, 10 of 15+ yards, and 286 breakaway yards, meaning he has the chance to hit home runs if he gets the right holes open up for him by the offensive line.”
Tracy’s explosiveness, contact balance, and instant change of direction all made him look the part of a leading back in the NFL.
How Big of a Threat is Cam Skattebo to Tracy’s Leading Role in 2025?
The real thing that took the wind out of the sails for Tracy’s impressive rookie year was his issues with ball security, fumbling on five occasions his rookie year.
The Giants’ decision to select a powerful running back prospect like Cam Skattebo out of Arizona State, who scored 17 tushing touchdowns on 293 carries last year, does make the path to a true breakout season for Tracy in 2025 a bit trickier.
Ultimately, Tracy is going to be a big part of the Giants’ rushing attack in 2025 after a successful rookie season.
Tracy is the most explosive runner on the Giants’ roster, but will need to improve his ball security if he hopes to avoid Skattebo or veteran Devin Singletary stealing a significant amount of work away from him in 2025.
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