Jason Burgos
Despite rookie Cam Skattebo becoming a favorite among New York Giants fans, a new report adds fuel to the speculation that the new coaching staff does not project him to be their go-to running back in 2026.
After going 3-14 in 2024, the NY Giants followed that up with an ugly 4-13 showing this past season. That is why Brian Daboll was fired in November, and the organization worked hard to replace him with former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.
There were a few bright spots in what was a miserable year. However, among the reasons to watch in 2025 was spark-plug rookie running back Cam Skattebo. The fourth-round pick brought an energy and fire the offense badly needed, and before a season-ending ankle injury in October, the former Arizona State star was giving the team reason to believe he had the potential to be their go-to RB next season.
The NY Giants are under new management, and it seems that Harbaugh and his staff believe the G-Men would be best as a dominant run-first team. However, it seems they don’t believe in Skattebo being at the forefront of that new strategy.
NY Giants targeting Kenneth Walker in free agency
“Something you hear about Giants at combine: They’re seriously looking at some of the top running backs, both in draft + free agency,” ESPN’s Jordan Rannan reports. “Players like Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love, Travis Etienne, and Kenneth Walker. There seems to be a clear focus on becoming a more physical, run-heavy team.”
Earlier this week, a rumor emerged that the team was looking at Love as a target with the fifth overall pick in April’s NFL Draft. The news surprised many NY Giants fans and analysts because of the role Skattebo developed for himself this past season. Some suggested it might have been a smoke screen to hide the team’s real target.
However, Ranaan’s report suggests that while they may not replace Skattebo as the RB1 in the draft, it may come in free agency. Etienne and Walker are two of the best running backs on the open market this year. Walker increased his stock in a major way after earning MVP honors in the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl win earlier this month.
