Giants RB coach praises Eric Gray amid Saquon Barkley absence

New York Giants running backs coach Jeff Nixon is impressed by what he's thus far seen from rookie Eric Gray. 

"He’s someone we thought performed as a three-down running back (at Oklahoma)," Nixon said about Gray, per Bob Brookover of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. "He fits right in with this group of running backs that I want to coach. I want to coach guys that can play all three downs and who can be complete running backs. I think we have a talented group of running backs and the way things are now in the NFL, you have to be three and four deep at that position. I feel we have that." 

The Giants used the non-exclusive franchise tag to retain star Saquon Barkley in March and then spent a fifth-round draft pick on Gray after the former Oklahoma Sooners running back tallied 1,366 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on 213 carries with 33 receptions for 229 yards during his final college season. Barkley hasn't yet signed his tag and has remained away from the club throughout the offseason, and his absence caused some to suggest Gray could evolve into a sleeper draft selection and an immediate contributor on offense. 

ESPN's Jordan Raanan pointed out Tuesday that Gray "seems to be among the frontrunners to win a job as a returner" during training camp and the preseason. That would indicate the first-year pro likely won't take touches away from Barkley whenever the 26-year-old returns to work, as expected. As for Nixon, the coach who only joined the Giants this past winter sounds excited to eventually work with the two-time Pro Bowl selection. 

"Any time you have a chance to coach a great player like that you’re naturally excited about it," Nixon said about Barkley. "I’ve watched a lot of film on him and obviously he’s a very, very exciting player." 

The Giants and Barkley have until the July 17 deadline to agree to a long-term deal, or else he'll have to play on the $10.091M franchise tender for 2023 unless he's willing to sacrifice guaranteed money by sitting games out.