Highlight touchdown play shows why Giants are betting on All-UFL running back Jacob Saylors
The New York Giants ae tapping into the UFL for talent at the running back position after reportedly agreeing to terms with St. Louis Battlehawks' Jacob Saylors, per insider James Larsen. Saylors was considered a potential NFL target after lighting up the UFL with eight total touchdowns this spring, five rushing and three as a pass […]
The New York Giants ae tapping into the UFL for talent at the running back position after reportedly agreeing to terms with St. Louis Battlehawks' Jacob Saylors, per insider James Larsen.
Saylors was considered a potential NFL target after lighting up the UFL with eight total touchdowns this spring, five rushing and three as a pass catcher. He also rushed for 460 yards, averaging 4.9 yards per attempt and added 151 more as a receiver.
The Giants won't be Saylor's first stop in the NFL as he's had brief stints with the Cincinnati Bengals and Atlanta Falcons. A specific highlight from his 2024 UFL season should be enough to show why teams have been willing to take a flyer on him.
Saylors had three touchdowns in a May showdown against the Birmingham Stallions, including an impressive fourth-quarter score in which he shows off his balance, staying on his feet after absorbing contact from two defenders.
Saylors breaks a tackle from a crashing linebacker by hitting the spin button and walking into the endzone for the score, turning a seemingly dead play into six points. That's what the Giants offense needs.
Now granted, one thing is to do it against UFL-caliber competition and a whole different one to do it on Sundays. Time will tell if Saylors can reach that next level required to get on an NFL field. But he's earned a chance to prove himself.
Saylors' play-making ability could help the Giants on special teams, as well. During a very productive career as a rusher at East Tennessee State (6.3 yards per rush attempt over five years!), he had some big-time highlights as a kick returner. That includes the clip below against Wofford, where Saylors gets his team all the way down to the opponent's 40-yard line after sneaking through a crease.
Saylor joins a thin RB room in New York, which is likely to be spearheaded by Devin Singletary with a rotation of Eric Gray and fifth-round rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. (who's been generating a lot of buzz), among others.
If his UFL production translates to the NFL and he finds a way to contribute on special teams, the Giants might've landed a hidden gem. The All-UFL player will be one of the top stories to monitor once training camp kicks off in late July.
