Giants Running Back Getting Creative Ahead of Year 2

The New York Giants exceeded expectations in their first season without running back Saquon Barkley, largely thanks to fifth-round rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Tracy exploded onto the scene in Week 5 and quickly took the starting job from Devin Singletary soon after. By the end of the season, he had joined receiver Malik Nabers as the third pair of rookies in league history to each surpass 1,000 yards from scrimmage.

Now armed with 2025 Round 4 pick Cam Skattebo, New York’s backfield is set to be even stronger. But Tracy will have to take another step if he wants to entrench himself in the team’s long-term plans.

His biggest weakness as a rookie was holding onto the football. At minicamp, the Giants running back revealed how he got creative to address his ball security.

“Obviously ball security was a huge thing for me last year,” Tracy said. “I had too many on the ground, so that was a big thing for me. But then also just being more vocal, being a leader, making sure that I'm coming out here, doing the right thing all the time, and whenever I'm asked to make a play, I make that play.”

Tracy fumbled five times in 2024, a black mark on an otherwise impressive rookie season. Tracy was better than anticipated between the tackles, given his conversion from his early college experience at receiver. Contrarily, his hands as a pass-catcher were underwhelming, posting five drops in Year 1.

An offseason’s worth of reps certainly helps, but Tracy is working from home to help himself, too.

“First of all, it starts on the football field. Every time I'm holding the ball, or I get the ball, whatever it is, making sure I'm carrying it the right way,” Tracy said. “And then I also bought, I don't know if y'all know what it is, but it's a little grip strengthener off Amazon that I use every night. It just helps me. Also, it just makes sure that I'm being fundamentally sound when I'm holding the ball as well. So again, just take your coaching and the meeting room to the field.”

Tracy will enter the year as the starter. He can create big plays, remain viable on passing downs, and present as the lightning to Skattebo’s thunder. Given the unsteady standing of Day 3 running backs, Tracy has a lot to lose in his second season.

Holding onto the ball will be key in holding onto his job.

“I think consistency is the best thing that shows up in the NFL. When you look at all of the great running backs, they're very consistent year after year after year. So that's what I want to be. I want to be one of the great New York Giants running backs that's come through here, but it starts with consistency, and that's going to start at practice every day.”