Giants: Saquon's OTA absence actually helps N.Y. in an undervalued scenario
While every fan and person that roots for or works for the Giants wishes Saquon Barkley was at OTA's, it's simply not the reality. The former top-five pick and two-time Pro Bowler is still in a contract dispute and hasn't even signed his franchise tag, making his attendance illegal per the CBA. But because it's […]
While every fan and person that roots for or works for the Giants wishes Saquon Barkley was at OTA's, it's simply not the reality.
The former top-five pick and two-time Pro Bowler is still in a contract dispute and hasn't even signed his franchise tag, making his attendance illegal per the CBA.
But because it's only May, Barkley's absence actually creates a dynamic that can help the Giants. Let me explain:
Typically, when NFL teams run practices, they do so with the intent of getting the starters ready at all costs. That means reps are few and far between for backups, as teams need to have all the scenarios laid out for their best players.
But when that starter is out injured, or in this case missing due to a financial dispute, it opens up the opportunity for backups to shine, sometimes even unseating the incumbent starter.
And while that's very unlikely to happen in the Giants' running back room, it opens the door to a positional battle at the running back two spot, with veterans Matt Breida, and Gary Brightwell trying to hold off rookie Eric Gray. Charlotte Carrol covers the Giants for the Athletic and she had an interesting take on the battle of the backups:
Where things get interesting is how the No. 2 spot will play out this season with the return of veterans Matt Breida and Gary Brightwell and the addition of fifth-round pick Eric Gray.
Breida was a speedy complement to Barkley who also worked well in tandem with the star runner in multi-back packages. Meanwhile, Brightwell tallied a group-high 4.5 yards a carry on his 31 rushes (141 yards). Suffice it to say, both played their parts well last year. But Gray adds a needed injection of youth to the unit. During his senior season at Oklahoma, he led the Big 12 in yards per carry (6.4) and brings a reputation as a “balanced, agile runner with darting quickness and steady pass-catching skills,” according to our own Dane Brugler.
Perhaps Gray shows off those exciting skills early, but for now, Breida feels like a safe No. 2 option given his usage last season.
Advantage: Breida
Carrol thinks that Breida will edge out the comp but I happen to favor Gray. I watched him in person at the 2023 Senior Bowl and while he lacks the homerun threat that Breida creates, he is a more well-rounded back with excellent pass-game ability and deceptive power.
So while we all hope that things get smoothed over with Barkley and the Giants brass, at least we know the three players behind him are leveraging his absence into a terrific opportunity.
