Tyrone Tracy Jr.
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The New York Giants have a "notable" reason to worry about second-year running back Tyrone Tracy Jr.
It’s almost been taken for granted the running game for the New York Giants is in safe hands thanks to Tyrone Tracy Jr., but there’s a “notable” reason to worry about the second-year pro.
The concern relates to former starting quarterback Daniel Jones and how his dual-threat skills impacted the ground game. Specifically, how Tracy’s numbers declined after the Giants made the decision to ditch Jones last November.
This disparity is spelled out by Dan Duggan of The Athletic. He pointed out how Tracy, the team’s fifth-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft, “averaged 15.8 carries for 86 yards in his first six starts last season. He then averaged 12.1 carries for 42 yards in his final seven games.”
Although “there are a variety of factors that contributed to that decline,” Duggan believes “it’s notable that Tracy’s plummeting production coincided with quarterback Daniel Jones’ benching. For all of Jones’ limitations as a passer, he was a legitimate running threat who created lanes on zone reads.”
Jones no longer being in the lineup removed a key facet of Big Blue’s rushing attack. Namely, designed quarterback runs.
Duggan doesn’t believe that will change even after 10-time Pro Bowler Russell Wilson was signed to be QB1: “Replacements Drew Lock and Tommy DeVito were non-factors on designed runs. Wilson’s effectiveness and usage as a runner have declined as he has aged. He had designed runs on 3.3% of his plays last season compared to 10.1% for Jones. It will be interesting to see how having a less mobile quarterback impacts Tracy’s production.”
While Duggan’s concern is valid, there are good reasons to believe the Giants can safeguard themselves against any sophomore slump from Tracy.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. Faces Multiple Challenges
A mobile quarterback is good for any running game, but the absence of Jones isn’t the only challenge facing Tracy. The former Purdue standout will also have to deal with no longer being able to take NFL teams by surprise, the way he did as a draft steal last year.
Plays like these nifty one-cut-and-go runs highlighted by Underdog’s Hayden Winks, announced Tracy as a true breakout star.
He formed a record duo with fellow rookie, wide receiver Malik Nabers, but Tracy still made his share of mistakes.
Most of those errors concerned ball security, with the 25-year-old fumbling five times, per Pro Football Reference. Tracy also produced 30 stuffed runs, where he was hit for no gain or a loss, according to Player Profiler.
Fixing those issues has been a priority for Tracy this offseason, but he could still see his rushing load reduced by a new role in the passing game. Fortunately, the Giants have some viable alternatives on the depth chart.
Giants Have Credible Backfield Committee
Perhaps the Giants will put the ball in the air more often, but they still have a credible committee of runners in the backfield. The group includes veteran Devin Singletary, who “averaged five carries per game in the final 11 games of the season,” per Duggan.
Singletary has the same cutback skills and sudden quicks as Tracy, but 2025 NFL draft fourth-round pick Cam Skattebo can offer something different. The potential steal has already promised to be physical and tough to bring down.
Skattebo’s presence means the Giants can dump another late-round runner, but the problem of a more static quarterback could still haunt Tracy. At least until first-round pick Jaxson Dart, who rushed for 1,498 yards and averaged four yards a run at Ole Miss, per Sports Reference, takes the reins.
Before then, count on the Giants mixing things up to ease the pressure on and better support their young and dynamic back.