Despite rookie Cam Skattebo becoming a favorite among New York Giants fans, a new report has further fueled speculation that the new coaching staff does not project him as their preferred player in 2026.
After going 3-14 in 2024, the NY Giants finished a poor 4-13 last season. That's 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 some bright spots in a miserable year. However, among the reasons to watch in 2025 was spark-plug rookie running back Cam Scatebo. The fourth-round pick brought energy and aggression that was sorely needed, and before suffering 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 a RB next season.
The NY Giants are under new management, and it seems Harbaugh and his staff believe the G-Men will be best as a dominant run-first team. However, it seems they don't trust Skatobo to be at the forefront of that new strategy.
The NY Giants are targeting Kenneth Walker in free agency.
"You heard something about the Giants at the combine: They're seriously considering some of the top running backs in both the draft + free agency," reports ESPN's Jordan Ranan. "Players like Jeremiah Love, Travis Etienne and Kenneth Walker from Notre Dame. There seems to be a clear focus on becoming a more physical, run-heavy team."
Earlier this week, a rumor surfaced that the team was looking at Love as a target with the fifth overall selection in April's NFL Draft. The news surprised many NY Giants fans and analysts because of the role Skattebo had developed for himself the previous season. Some suggested that this may have been a smoke screen to hide the team's real goal.
However, Raanan's report suggests that while he may not replace Skattebo as the RB1 in the draft, it could come in free agency. Etienne and Walker are two of the best running backs on the open market this year. Walker saw his stock rise in a big way after earning MVP honors in the Seattle Seahawks' Super Bowl win earlier this month.
