The New York Giants don’t have too many questions that need answering at the running back position, but there are some new faces and a few jobs on the line as we enter training camp here in 2020.
Saquon Barkley will be featured prominently in Jason Garrett’s offense, but what can we expect to see behind him?
Here’s a quick look at the Giants’ running back situation entering camp.
Saquon Barkley
After an incredible and record-breaking rookie season, Saquon Barkley was forced back down to earth in 2019 as the result of a high ankle sprain.
While Barkley still finished the year with more than 1,000 rushing yards, he was clearly a shell of his former self, only occasionally showing flashes of the elite talent we saw in 2018.
That has obviously provided some motivation for Barkley, who has been largely silent yet very visible this offseason.
Barkley has routinely posted workout videos in recent months, showing off his impressive physique and other-worldly athleticism. It’s clear he has set out to begin the season in the best shape of his life, likely in an attempt to curb any injury issues.
“I think Saquon is going to have a huge year for you guys this year. I was really happy watching the draft, I saw you guys picked up an offensive lineman and some guys, so that’s going to help your quarterback, that’s going to help Saquon and it’s going to help the whole team and the whole organization,” Penn State head coach James Franklin told Giants.com.
Barkley is likely to see a balanced workload in 2020, which should help keep him healthy and on the field for a full 16 games.
Dion Lewis
When the Giants signed veteran Dion Lewis to a one-year, $1.55 million contract in March, it felt like a steal. Five months later, it still feels like a steal.
A fifth-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2011 NFL Draft, Lewis also spent time with the Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots before joining the Tennessee Titans in 2018, where he’s remained the last two seasons.
In 86 career games (27 starts), the Albany, New York native has gained 2,310 yards and 11 touchdowns on 538 carries (4.3 ypc), adding 1,281 yards and seven touchdowns on 172 receptions.
Lewis, who grew up a Giants fan, struggled during his time in Tennessee, producing well below his career averages. However, at 29 years old, he still has some gas left in the tank, will be reunited with a familiar face in Joe Judge and has proven an ability to find success as part of a committee.
“I think it was a perfect and unique opportunity. There was a lot of factors. Joe Judge being there and me having a relationship with him with my three years in New England. I grew up a Giants fan, so it was always a dream of mine to play for them. When I got the opportunity with the circumstances, I couldn’t pass it up. I’m looking forward to working with Coach Joe Judge, playing for my hometown team and getting to work with Saquon as well. There was a lot of positive factors,” Lewis told reporters in April.
The Giants don’t need another Saquon Barkley, but they do need a quality veteran with all-around talent. That’s exactly what Lewis gives them.
Wayne Gallman
Prior to the arrival of Saquon Barkley in East Rutherford, there was a moment where Wayne Gallman appeared poised to take over at the No. 1 guy.
However, that did not happen and Gallman has seen his time on the field and production slip in each of the previous two season. In fact, he completely fell out of favor with Pat Shurmur and his coaching staff last season, spending much of the final half of the season on the bench.
Under Joe Judge, Gallman gets a completely fresh start and some much-needed air breathed back into his career, which could be good news for the team. After all, it’s not like Gallman lacks talent.
The 6-foot-1, 209-pound Gallman still averages 4.0 yards per carry on his career and as a rookie, demonstrated an ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. His pass protection, while nothing to write home about, as improved since 2017, which makes him a viable option at RB3.
Although many expect Gallman to be cut, he could end up using his clean slate to impress coaches with his study habits, high football IQ and all-around skills.
Jon Hilliman
The Giants signed Jon Hilliman, a New Jersey native out of Rutgers, following the 2019 NFL Draft and he managed to stick.
Not only did Hilliman stick, but there were a few instances where the 24-year-old flashed and left fans wondering what the future held. Unfortunately, his role wasn’t significant and he ended his rookie campaign with just 91 yards on 30 carries.
In 2020, Hilliman will not only compete with Gallman for a spot on the roster, but a few undrafted free agents such as Javon Leake, who we will touch on momentarily.
In order to stick under Joe Judge, Hilliman will need to show improvement as both a pass protector and a receiver out of the backfield. He’ll also need to supply some production on special teams.
Eli Penny
Eli Penny is a fullback in an era where fullbacks are being phased out. But perhaps no one will benefit more from the presence of offensive coordinator Jason Garrett than Penny himself.
Garrett was one of the few head coaches in recent seasons to continue the regular use of a fullback, which is something he will likely carry over to New York. And the fact that Penny has stuck on the roster despite so many changes occurring around him should be evidence that he’s very much in those plans.
NFL Films analyst Greg Cosell addressed exactly that in June.
“The use of 21 personnel, with a fullback, is something that teams are going to try to replicate because of the success of Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers last season,” said Cosell, via NJ Advance Media. “The Giants also have a fullback on the roster, and the Cowboys used a fullback under Jason Garrett, as well. The Giants have Eli Penny, and the fullback has sort of become back in vogue in the NFL.”
Meanwhile, Penny spent his offseason bulking up and entered camp in the best physical shape of his life.
Penny will very much factor in here in 2020.
Others
Further down the roster, the Giants have George Aston, a 6-foot, 240-pound fullback who isn’t likely to supplant Penny, and Sandro Platzgummer, an Austrian running back who joined the team as part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway program.
“I admit I am really excited and I know it’s a huge challenge, but I’m not intimidated. There’s guys in the NFL my size. I get inspiration from Christian McCaffrey (5-foot-11, 205 pounds) who is no bigger than I am. I am looking forward to it,” Platzgummer told American Football International.
The 6-foot, 198-pound Platzgummer will almost certainly remain on the Giants’ practice squad for the duration of the season.
Finally, there’s undrafted rookie Javon Leake, a Bronx native who signed with the Giants out of Maryland.
The 6-foot, 215-pound Leake stands a good chance at making the Giants’ final roster not just because he adds to the running back depth, but because he’s a special teams ace and could serve as the team’s kick returner.
