The New York Giants lost Saquon Barkley to the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency, and despite signing Devin Singletary and waiting until the fifth round to select Tyron Tracy out of Purdue, the backfield could still use some quality depth.
As OTAs and minicamps loom across the league, there are several veteran running backs still available who are plenty capable of providing quality carries in an offense that now features explosive wide receivers such as first-round pick Malik Nabers and second-year burner Jalin Hyatt on the perimeter dissuading defensies from loading the box.
According to Bleacher Report’s Joseph Zucker, the New York Giants are an ideal fit for former Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt.
“Devin Singletary has run for 800-plus yards in each of the last three seasons,” Zucker writes of the Giants’ backfield situation. “But isn’t a like-for-like replacement for Saquon Barkley. Eric Gray had 23 total touches as a rookie. Tyrone Tracy Jr., a 2024 fifth-round draft pick, only became a full-time running back in 2023.”
“Although Singletary is clearly the No. 1 guy after signing a three-year, $16.5 million contract, New York would benefit from bringing in one more vet, and Hunt would slot in nicely as the backup.”
How Kareem Hunt Fits New York Giants
It’s easy to see why Hunt could be an ideal short-yardage back for the Giants, after all, as Pro Football Focus points out that Hunt averaged 2.17 yards after contact per carry last season.
Meanwhile, since Hunt will likely command a deal close to the veteran minimum, at this stage of the offseason, he could provide significant value as a change-of-pace back alongside Singletary, Gray and Tracy.