Giants select Eric Gray at pick 172 of the NFL Draft
The New York Giants may be working through ongoing negotiations with running back Saquon Barkley, but that doesn't mean they aren't planning for a situation where he is no longer a part of the team. That is evident in their latest selection, as they have drafted Oklahoma running back Eric Gray in the fifth round […]
The New York Giants may be working through ongoing negotiations with running back Saquon Barkley, but that doesn't mean they aren't planning for a situation where he is no longer a part of the team.
That is evident in their latest selection, as they have drafted Oklahoma running back Eric Gray in the fifth round of this year's draft. The former Tennessee Volunteer found his footing at Oklahoma this past season, putting up the best numbers of his collegiate career.
Those figures included nearly 1500 yards from scrimmage and 11 touchdowns as the focal point of rebuilding Sooner program. Now Gray heads to the NFL as a value pick, thanks to his later-than-projected draft positioning.
Gray was projected to be a late third, early fourth-round pick by both The Athletic and NFL.Com, but his smaller size at 5'9" and lack of explosive testing may have played a role in his late-round fall.
The Giants have no issue with this, however, as Gray was a force on tape, and will surely be a youthful depth piece at the very least in New York's backfield, with the ability to fill in as a starter when needed.
Here is what Dane Brugler of The Athletic had to say about Gray:
A two-year starter at Oklahoma, Gray was the lead back in offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby’s up-tempo, RPO-based scheme. After teasing his talented skill set at Tennessee and first season at Oklahoma, he put together a career year as a senior, leading the Big 12 in rushing yards per carry (6.4) and ranking second in rushing yards per game (113.7). Gray is quick to gather, plant and burst with the explosive cutting skills to shake defenders and pick up chunk yardage (his 44 carries of 10-plus yards in 2022 ranked No. 7 in the FBS). Although he isn’t an inside grinder, he stays behind his pads with the low center of gravity and pacing that help him pinball off contact. Overall, Gray has only average speed and run power, but he is a balanced, agile runner with darting quickness and steady pass-catching skills. His play style is similar to Clyde Edwards-Helaire and he should be a productive change of pace/passing-down back in the NFL.
The Giants have a type when it comes to running back, and Gray is just the player they look for. A wide zone runner that can people miss in open field, he is still sturdy enough to run power football and can be utilized in many of the run concepts that Brian Dabll likes to deploy.
Hopefully, things get smoothed over with Barkley and Gray is used sparingly, as a certifiable piece to spell Saquon when he needs a breather. But just maybe, he's the next lead back for the franchise. Time will tell.
