The New York Giants are considered to be big winners of the 2025 NFL Draft because of their ability to find good value with most of their selections. ... and because they ended up with a pair of first-round picks.
It's easy to give good grades on players we've all heard of.
But ...
While that was most prevalent when blue-chip edge rusher Abdul Carter fell to No. 3, it continued into Day 2 with defensive tackle Darius Alexander and then Day 3, most notably with fifth-round offensive lineman Marcus Mbow.
And it kept happening ...
Among those "name'' steals is fourth-round running back Cam Skattebo. A college football icon, Skattebo won over fans with his unrelenting physical toughness and elite contact balance. He isn’t the biggest or fastest, but few backs can punish defenders like Skattebo.
That strength defines Skattebo’s game and makes him a strong complement to running back Tyrone Tracy Jr.
The Giants running back is now visiting with the media and setting some realistic boundaries.
“How many snaps of the NFL have you seen me play? Zero, right? I’ve proved nothing,'' he said.
That's a 3-word mouthful.
Skattebo is notable in that his power plays better than his 219-pound frame would suggest. He’s dense with good balance, and he can parlay those skills into big plays, even with below-average speed.
As such, Skattebo embraces the opportunity to truly run through defenders, a warning to the disinterested defensive backs who might lie in his path.
“And that's right, head up contact, that's real contact and shoulder to shoulder isn't as much contact as people think, and I have a good balance underneath my feet, so if I can get half a body, I feel like I'm in good shape to go past them,” Skattebo said.
But as he himself says, that's all talk right now.
The Arizona State product will likely split time with Tracy and, to some extent, Devin Singletary. He projects to be a key piece of a committee, but if the rest of Skattebo’s game translates as well as his strength, unseating Tracy remains a possibility.
Still ...
“I've proved what I am in college, but I've proved nothing at this level,'' he said. “So now where I'm at, I have to prove myself and if that's for five years or if that's for 10 years, I'm going to continue to prove myself. I'm the best, do it for the longest, so continue to do that and just work my butt off until time comes.”