The New York Giants are getting ready for training camp, along with the rest of the NFC East. This is the third offensive position group in the NFC East Grading series. The Eagles and Giants are currently tied at 19 points; Dallas has 18, and Washington has 14.
How does it work, you may ask? It is VERY complicated! The best positional group is assigned four points, and the “worst” receives one point. Let’s talk about the running backs in the NFC East!
Dallas Cowboys
Javonte Williams, Jaydon Blue, Malik Davis, Phil
Mafakh, Israel Abnikanda, Dominic Richardson
Javonte Williams is a good starting running back who seized his opportunity last year with the Dallas Cowboys. The 26-year-old signed a three-year, $24 million contract and is now three years removed from his devastating knee injury. Williams rushed for over 1,200 yards with 11 touchdowns and a 4.8-yard per carry average. Still, there is little depth behind Williams, and second-year fifth-rounder Jaydon Blue struggled to have any impact last season. The rest of the room is unproven, so Dallas gets one point despite my respect for Williams.
Points: 1
Washington Commanders
Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Rachaad White, Jeremy McNichols, Kaytron Allen, Jerome Ford, Robert Henry Jr.
Washington added Rachaad White as a replacement for Austin Ekeler, which was a good addition for David Blough’s offense. Croskey-Merritt showed talent in his rookie season but was not allowed to earn a bell-cow role under former offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. He did, though, rush for 805 yards (4.6 YPC) with eight rushing touchdowns. He must clean up the fumbles — he had four last season.
White comes in from Tampa Bay and will likely earn the passing-downs role and will be allowed to eat into early down work, as will Kaytron Allen, who Washington selected in the sixth round out of Penn State. McNichols is a depth special teamer who can be relied on in a pinch, and Jerome Ford will fight for a roster spot.
Points: 2
New York Giants
Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Devin Singletary, Eric Gray, Dante Miller, Damon Bankston
Cam Skattebo is returning from his devastating leg injury, but he looks good so far this offseason. Tyrone Tracy Jr. has proven to be a reliable second running back and one who can be trusted with the 1A role. He rushed for 1,579 yards with seven touchdowns (4.3 YPC) across the last two seasons, while being effective through the air, albeit Skattebo is more impactful on the ground and through the air than the third-year Purdue back.
Singletary is still effective as a rusher, and he provides value as a consistent option who can do everything adequately. Still, Singletary, 28, is coming off his two worst seasons — he rushed for 437 yards in each of his two seasons with the Giants. The duo of Skattebo and Tracy Jr. is what pushes the Giants to three points, but the presence of Singletary doesn’t hurt.
Points: 3
Philadelphia Eagles
Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby, Will Shipley, Dameon Pierce, Elijah Mitchell
Saquon Barkley is the best running back in the division, and Tank Bigsby is a quality number two back that Howie Roseman acquired last season. Shipley, Pierce, and Mitchell are all solid depth players, with Shipley being a receiving threat to spell Barkley. Pierce did not actualize his talent in Houston, and Mitchell has dealt with many injuries, but he had a solid run with San Francisco. However, Philadelphia is getting four points based on Barkley.
Points: 4
Final thoughts
The running back position isn’t straightforward. Barkley was the difference-maker for the Eagles, but I would listen to arguments for any of the four teams being number one, except perhaps Dallas. The way it shook out is fair, though, or at least I think so. Let me know what you think in the comments. After the defense, tight ends, wide receivers, and running backs, these are the rankings.
Eagles: 23
Giants: 22
Cowboys: 19
Commanders: 16
