While New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley is the team’s undisputed starter and workhorse back, there is a competition behind him for who will get the scraps when he’s on the sideline.
The Giants have a number of running back options to sort through during training camp, with Paul Perkins, Wayne Gallman, Rod Smith and Jonathan Hilliman all vying for a spot on the roster.
Elijhaa’s name can be discussed as well, but his role as a fullback separates him from the competition between Perkins, Gallman, Hilliman and Smith.
Nothing has been decided with the aforementioned trio of running backs, so a spotlight will be on the backup job once training camp rolls around.
Let’s examine things a bit more closely to get a good idea just who has the early advantage, and how things might shake out.
Saquon Barkley
As if a player coming off a rookie season with over 2,000 yards from scrimmage wasn’t exciting enough, Barkley’s prospects for 2019 are even more promising. The reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year for 2018 has the potential to do historic things in his sophomore campaign.
The Giants have done quite a bit to improve their offensive line in the last few years.
The signing of Nate Solder and selection of Will Hernandez last year have helped stabilize the left side of the line, while the signing of Mike Remmers and trade for Kevin Zeitler have aided a full rebuild of Big Blue’s offensive front.
And no matter what happens in the competition at center between Jon Halapio and Spencer Pulley, the G-Men should be looking at a vastly improved O-line from last season.
Not only does that help the passing attack, but now Eli Manning is setup for a situation in which he can spread the ball around to his receivers and not have to force it to one man. If the Giants can get the air attack going, it’ll only open things up more for Barkley.
The Penn State product, who should be licking his chops at the prospects of what 2019 can bring, is in for another sensational season.
Paul Perkins
The 2018 season was a lost one for Perkins, who was placed on season-ending injured reserve before even getting a chance to play. But in 2019, hope springs eternal for Perkins, who is vying for the No. 2 spot in the “Saquon needs a breather” role.
So far, it appears Perkins is ahead of his competition for the backup job, as he was on the field when Barkley wasn’t in minicamp. Furthermore, as Matt Lombardo of NJ.com reported, he has looked explosive at times and his route-running has been on point.
If Perkins can show up in training camp and return to the form he showed in his rookie season (4.1 yards per carry and 15 catches for 162 yards) or better, he’ll be a great asset behind the Giants’ bell cow back.
At this point, he must be considered the front-runner for the team’s No. 2 spot.
Wayne Gallman
Gallman served as the Giants’ No. 2 back last season, but he was nothing to write home about. He averaged just 3.5 yards per carry — albeit behind a poor offensive line — and totaled 14 catches for 89 yards.
With competition in Perkins this season, Gallman is not showing his best. It was Perkins who filled-in behind Barkley during the spring and that has to be a blow to Gallman’s prospects for 2019.
To make things worse, Gallman has dealt with drops and is now anything but a sure thing to make the 53-man roster with fellow back Rod Smith now breathing down his neck.
Gallman better come to training camp ready to wow coaches, or else he could find himself on the wrong end of final cuts before the season starts.
The good news? Gallman has flashed at times, knows the offense and is more than capable of turning things up a notch, which will be a must come training camp.
Rod Smith
An offseason signing by the Giants, Smith was a backup with the Cowboys last season behind lead back, Ezekiel Elliot. He didn’t do much within that role, averaging 2.9 yards per tote in limited action.
However, it didn’t take long for Smith to make a good impression on the Giants, with head coach Pat Shurmur praising Smith’s work ethic, his ability to pick up the offense quickly and what he brings to the table when the ball is in his hands.
Perhaps most importantly for Smith making the roster, he’s an asset on special teams and special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey has used words like “big, strong, athletic, smart, playmaker” to describe him.
If Perkins is truly the first in line behind Barkley when it’s all said and done, Smith will have a huge edge over Gallman because of what he can contribute on special teams. With the Giants looking for depth at the running back position, Smith checks more than just that box and that type of versatility is very valuable to a football team.
Jonathan Hilliman
Hilliman is an interesting prospect for a variety of reasons, but, at least on the surface, he doesn’t have much of a future with the Giants unless he lands on their practice squad.
The Giants signed Hilliman as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Rutgers, where he spent one season after four years with Boston College.
A part-time player a season ago, Hilliman didn’t put up any numbers worth writing home about and his best season came back in 2014, but clearly general manager Dave Gettleman & Co. saw something in him that made them bring him in.
With 4.44 40-yard speed, which makes him only a step slower than Barkley, Hilliman provides the Giants a bit of a chance-of-pace if necessary. He also has solid hands, which is a must-have in New York.
Throughout training camp and the preseason, Hilliman will certainly be provided the opportunity to prove his worth, but as noted earlier, his end will likely come on the practice squad.
Elijhaa Penny
After signing Penny off the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad last season, the Giants used the 25-year-old as their fullback.
The Giants need Penny to be an effective lead blocker and an asset in pass protection, which he has certainly proven to be in the past, standing at 6-foot-2 and 234 pounds.
Coaches have no doubt been pleased with what Penny can do as a blocker and that won’t change in 2019. As long as he can stay healthy, Penny looks to be a lock to make the 53-man roster and continue to be the fullback that paves the road for Barkley.
