There's really only 2 Running Backs on the Giants right now: Paul Perkins and Wayne Gallman. Both are very similar type backs with similar body types:
Perkins is 5'11/213 (slightly thicker) runs a 4.54,
Gallman is 6' 210 and runs a 4.6. Both are 24.
They've each had moments as rookies - and both have reasonably good receiving abilities - neither is known as a great blocker. Perkins had his moments in 2016 and Gallman in 2017, but neither has really distinguished themselves. I'd say they each had flashes.
Darkwa and
Vereen are FAs in 2018
Jalen Simmons, a former Carolina Panther and bounced around the league is also on the roster, he's smaller, thicker and a tad faster than Perkins and Gallman at 5'8" and 220lbs running a 4.5
Gettleman has to bring in at least a couple of running backs in FA if not for anything but so that he can look at the draft board and not make a knee-jerk pick at #2.
Saquon Barkley has to be in the conversation if he's not the first player off the board, he's just too good a player not to be in the discussion and I'd want perspective.
Gettleman knows a thing or two about running backs - so I'd say RB in this FA bears watching.
Who would you bring in at RB in FA this off-season knowing that a few FA RBs need to be signed?
The list of FA RBs from Walter Football is linked below.
Of the "top 11" on the linked list the most intriguing RB is:
Le'Veon Bell - whose skill set closely parallels Saquon Barkley in the coming draft, but Barkley is definitely faster. Bell's a little larger than Perkins and Gallman, his 3 cone was 6.75 faster than Gallman's (Perkins didn't complete his combine/no 3 cone). Bell may be a candidate for tagging for Pittsburgh.
Dion Lewis had a break out year this year for the Pats, and is smaller than Simmons at 5'7" 193 lbs, has terrific measurables, but not a lot of production over his rookie contract
Carlos Hyde has had a bunch of disappointing years, he's a Wayne Gallman Clone body wise
Isaiah Crowell has showed flashes and is closer in body type to Paul Perkins, but had a disappointing year
Jerick McKinnon is someone Shurmer is very familiar with - he's faster than Perkins and Gallman with a 4.41 at the Combine, and he's also smaller at 5'9" and 209 - doesn't have a tremendous amount of production under Shurmer - I would classify it as inconsistent
Alfred Morris is 28 and he started off a blazing for the Skins and has had an up and down career -- he was serviceable for the Cowboys - he's 5'10" and 219 lbs, a little more chunky than Perkins and Gallman - closer to Simmons - but much slower
Jeremy Hill, has good measurables and has a checkered past. He's 6'1" and 233 lbs with very big hands and his production has tapered off for the Bengals through the seasons
LeGarrette Blount is 31 and has moments but is coming off his least productive season.
Orleans Darkwa was arguably the Giants best running back this past year but is hardly inspiring
Here's some of the rest, none of whom is very inspiring
Christine Michael, RB, Colts. Age: 27.
Mike Davis (RFA), RB, Seahawks. Age: 25.
Jamaal Charles, RB, Broncos. Age: 31.
Charles Sims, RB, Buccaneers. Age: 27.
Branden Oliver, RB, Chargers. Age: 27.
Kenjon Barner, RB, Eagles. Age: 28.
Benny Cunningham, RB, Bears. Age: 28.
Shane Vereen, RB, Giants. Age: 29.
Alfred Blue, RB, Texans. Age: 27.
Darren Sproles, RB, Eagles. Age: 35.
Andre Ellington, RB, Texans. Age: 29.
Corey Grant (RFA), RB, Jaguars. Age: 26.
Terron Ward (RFA), RB, Falcons. Age: 26.
Kerwynn Williams, RB, Cardinals. Age: 36.
Kapri Bibbs (RFA), RB, Redskins. Age: 25.
Travaris Cadet, RB, Bills. Age: 29.
Bishop Sankey (RFA), RB, Vikings. Age: 25.
Damien Williams, RB, Dolphins. Age: 26.
Zach Zenner (RFA), RB, Lions. Age: 26.
Link - (
New Window )
751 yards rushing
116 yards receiving (19 rec)
4.4 ypc
6.1 ypcatch
5 TDs
He played in 10 games in 2016.
Gallman:
13 games with 1 start:
476 yards rushing
193 yards receiving (34 rec)
4.3 ypc
5.7 ypcatch
1 TD (rec)
The others didn't do enough to warrant a mention.
Maybe that was Darkwa's career year. Maybe it wasn't. I'd like to hold on to him one more year in case he's got another level of progress in him, assuming he didn't cost too much. He likely won't.
One thing Hill is really good at is short yardage, and goal line running. He's also a bigger back than the other Giants backs -- he's the biggest back on the list.
He's probably be available for a prove it very reasonable deal and it would be his first change of scenery coming into the pros -- I'd throw out last year -- the Bengals had a chit season like the Giants did.
I think give him a new lease on life, prove he wants to be in the NFL somemore, and give him a coach like Shurmur who will try to place him in his best light - might be the ticket
The Giants need a punishing vet running back who has produced - and Hill fits the bill
One thing Hill is really good at is short yardage, and goal line running. He's also a bigger back than the other Giants backs -- he's the biggest back on the list.
He's probably be available for a prove it very reasonable deal and it would be his first change of scenery coming into the pros -- I'd throw out last year -- the Bengals had a chit season like the Giants did.
I think give him a new lease on life, prove he wants to be in the NFL somemore, and give him a coach like Shurmur who will try to place him in his best light - might be the ticket
The Giants need a punishing vet running back who has produced - and Hill fits the bill
Hill would be interesting if he would take a low base, incentive laden deal but I wouldn't want to depend on him as a #1 guy.
Let Perkins and Gallman compete for starter
Bring in some Molly Hogs for them to run behind
Re-sign Darkwa. I'd be happy.
Perkins is cheap, and he gets another chance to prove he belongs here. You could do way worse as a third RB on the depth chart.
I'm all in on Saquon but if they decide to go the FA route, I think Jeremy Hill would fit in well here.
Why are we so quick to move on from Darkwa? He had as good a year running the football as any NYG RB has had since 2010. I know that's not much, but in a season where everything went wrong offensively I thought Darkwa showed something. Don't love him, but I think he earned some trust here.
Agreed, that and his performance the past three seasons make him unattractive to the Giants. The Giants need to fix the locker room by cutting ties with problematic characters not adding more.
you can say goodbye to Perkins and Vereen
After that, nobody knows
He would make a lot of sense if they grab an RB early in the draft to pair with Gallman.
Rookie-Gallman-Perkins-Barner
Not to mention the fact that he is one failed drug test away from a year long suspension. No thank you.
The linked article is from his time with Cleveland. There are quotes as he explains what the West Coast offense is and what he is looking for. Regarding running backs, he had this to say:
“The West Coast system obviously starts with a two-back (set),” Shurmur said. “Because we will throw the ball, the halfback has to be able to catch the ball out of the backfield as well as run with it. The fullback is a guy that needs to be able to block, win one-on-one battles on linebackers and then be able to catch the ball out of the backfield.
“So it sounds trite, but we’re going to hand it to them and throw it to them. It’s important that they’re able to beat linebackers in one-on-one coverage and catch the football — that’s the important piece. And when they’re asked to pass protect, (they need to) be able to do that as well. The running backs in this system, they’re key positions because they’re going to touch the football.”
Pat Shurmur explains the WCO - ( New Window )
That article might be worth its own thread ...
What type of offense will Pat Shurmur bring to the Giants? - ( New Window )
Sankey is a restrictive free agent
The twist is, everything I read about his offense seems to suggest he shapes it to fit his players. For example, the Cleveland article I quoted from above discusses the "typical" WCO back: a guy that can catch the football, run good routes, and pass-block. However the article I linked in this post states that Shurmur decided to go "power" because that is what the Vikings running backs are good at.
Sometimes its best for a new coach to not make too many changes to the roster until he has a chance to see how the current roster works with HIS offense. I still think they bring in someone, either from FA and/or draft. I think his back, first and foremost, has to be able to catch. That kinda rules Darkwa out. I can't remember if Perkins can catch; seems so long ago now. I do recall Galleman dropping balls, now that I think about it. He will have to learn how to catch consistently if he has a career with Shurmur.
Out of the group of FA's, who can catch?
What Does Pat Shurmur Have in Store for the Vikings Offense? - ( New Window )
That article suggested Shurmur "might" go with a power running game. Based on what I have read, the Vikings went with a zone-run blocking scheme in 2017, after revamping the offensive line.
Why are we so quick to move on from Darkwa? He had as good a year running the football as any NYG RB has had since 2010. I know that's not much, but in a season where everything went wrong offensively I thought Darkwa showed something. Don't love him, but I think he earned some trust here.
Darkwa was productive but has no special skills and is way too slow so no thanks.
Vereen is done.
That means we need two guys and I would absolutely go with top-end speed to decide what to look for.