pff says - Tracy is a natural playmaker with adequate athleticism (explosiveness and agility) for a zone-blocking scheme. However, he must continue to improve his ability to see blocks and space if he is to be a consistent rotational player.
pff says - Tracy is a natural playmaker with adequate athleticism (explosiveness and agility) for a zone-blocking scheme. However, he must continue to improve his ability to see blocks and space if he is to be a consistent rotational player.
I hope that’s inaccurate. Running Backs with poor vision has plagued this offense.
12. TYRONE TRACY, Purdue (5-11, 209, 4.48, 4-5): Started 16 of his 38 games as a wide receiver at Iowa from 2018-’21. Had 36 receptions in 2019. Team captain in ’21. Transferred to Purdue in 2022 and was a backup wideout before moving to running back last year and flourishing. “Love him,” one scout said. “Change of pace guy. Did really well in his first year really playing running back.” Posted 113 of his career total of 146 rushes in 2023 when he led the Big Ten in yards per carry (6.4). Finished with 947 (6.5) and 10 TDs to go with 113 receptions. “Kind of new to the position so he’s feeling it out,” a second scout said. “His vision keeps him alive. Like a No. 3 running back who contributes on special teams. Not a powerful back but he’s grown into that body and stays on his feet and fights for extra yardage. Has enough speed to get outside. Struggled in pass pro.” His 3-cone time of 6.81 led the position. From Indianapolis.
“ Tracy was a full-time running back for only one season after spending his first five college seasons primarily as a wide receiver, the position at which he was initially recruited to play at Iowa.
While still learning the running back position, he'd likely make the transition to the next level in much the same way that Alvin Kamara and Jahmyr Gibbs are deployed by their respective teams. While Tracy isn't at the level of either back (Kamara in his prime, Gibbs right now going into his second season with the Detroit Lions), he would profile in an offense as a complementary primary back and multidimensional receiving weapon who can line up in multiple locations within the formation and could be especially effective as a detached receiver given his background.
Given the kind of running back that Tracy is and how he will best make the transition to the next level — assuming he will be deployed that way, which I believe is the most effective means for him to play in the league — there aren't a lot of weaknesses in his game. I could see him fitting well into an NFL offense that features the back in the passing game, especially with formation versatility.
Tracy will only get better as a runner with more experience, but he showed strong traits with his natural quickness and burst and his elusiveness making defenders miss in multiple ways. Perhaps most impressively, he showed more than functional physicality and competitive toughness to finish runs. Overall, Tracy is one of my favorite backs to watch, and I believe he is an ascending talent. I'm looking forward to seeing who drafts him and how he's deployed.”
Sixth-year senior. Four-year starter that spent four seasons at Iowa before his final two at Purdue. Tracy will turn 25 years old as a rookie but in terms of running back age, he is younger than most. He played wide receiver from 2018-2022 before moving into the backfield full time in his final year. In that one season, Tracy finished fourth in the country in yards after contact per attempt in the country among backs with over 100 carries. His career was sputtering, as his best season as a receiver came in 2019. The smooth position move opened a door, one that is searching for pass game weapons out of the backfield. Tracy is not a dynamic or explosive athlete, but he simply knows what to do with the ball in his hands and it shows up as a returner as well. His progression will be an interesting one to follow, one with a high ceiling.
*Tracy is one of the more interesting prospects in the entire draft. He runs like he doesn’t always know what he’s doing but that is part of the intrigue. What happens to him if it does click? He is already productive, and he is already a top-shelf pass catcher the position. He already adds return value. Something about him simply makes sense for a chance on day three because Singletary could easily be elsewhere before the end of 2024, let alone pre-2025. And I view that as the season this team can be ready to compete.
Under his write-up you mentioned that Singletary might not be here by the end of the 2024 Season! That’s surprising… would the Giants deal a guy they just signed as a FA?
Looks a little like Gray, but with a lot more bulk
like a great pick. Fantastic athleticism with a lot of receiving skills that will be valuable as he comes out of the backfield. He also seems very shifty and strong, and can break a lot of tackles.
David Syvertsen
@Ourlads_Sy
166) NYG: Tyrone Tracy Jr. - RB/Purdue
Former WR at Iowa (was second leading receiver to Ihmir Smith Marsette at one time) that made the move to RB and finished with a huge year. Finished 4th in country in yards after contact per rush. Elite quickness and burst - still learning position but has a skill set in the passing game very few can match. Love the chance here - huge ceiling.
maybe im under estimating him but it seems like he can a kevin faulk/shane vereen type of change of pace player with ST value. seems like he has more talent than brightwell and more explosiveness than gray.
not sure anyone else in the draft had:
21+ bench reps
40+ vertical
sub-7 3 cone
that's the athletic package of an elite TE/RB/S/LB.
I get the impression he has very good vision and looks to read his blocks well. He’s shifty and makes the most out of a small crease. He also appears tough to bring down. Doesn’t go down easily which is something we will appreciate after watching Barkley this past year.
Depth of Talent Score: 75.6 = Contributor: Starter execution in a limited role; diminishing returns beyond that scope.
Tracy is on the cusp of the Reserve Tier: Contributor with limitations in scope and execution.
The Elevator Pitch: Tracy spent four years as a wide receiver and return specialist at Iowa. Watch his Iowa tape and you see a wealth of trapping targets to his body and fighting the football, which is among the reasons why he’s more intriguing as a running back.
Tracy is an elusive runner who layers movements in the open field to avoid defenders. He gets his feet and knees high enough to get over low shots and he can do this while making elusive moves against pursuit.
Tracy has an excellent stiff-arm that he can deliver with reach and power. He uses his pads well when he prepares for contact, but he can improve his overall body lean when he runs between the tackles.
Tracy is a promising athlete with elite change of direction quickness that he applies well as a running back but may have room to get even better as he becomes more adept as a decision maker between the tackles. Tracy can make an early impact in the D’Andre Swift-Kenyan Drake role as a player earning the ball in open space or handed the ball on plays between the tackles that are designed to simulate open space such as draws and toss plays.
A short-term trap-door that could undermine success in this role could be ball security because most of his touches came as a receiver and he has careless moments with ball security between the tackles. If he can continue to learn the position quickly, he could become a productive committee option by the end of his first contract.
be the black and gold, but he reminds me of a poor man's Alvin Kamara. Great pass catcher, great balance, finishes through contact despite not being a traditional power back size.
a bunch of 50+ yard runs. it was just big play after big play running away from people like the run he had against buffalo.
He had way more carries... Tracy averaged 6.3 yards a carry at Purdue in the Big Ten. He had under 2 yards before first contact and averaged that. He made big plays and runs just like Bradshaw to me. When you watch them the way he ducks, sidesteps, makes contact... looks Bradshaw to me the way he would get extra yards.
You absolutely have to. So much info and you will be amazed at what we have in this kid. Please see it….it was previously posted above… Must see video - ( New Window )
RE: RE: amtoft - bradshaw at marshall had multiple 200+ yard games
a bunch of 50+ yard runs. it was just big play after big play running away from people like the run he had against buffalo.
He had way more carries... Tracy averaged 6.3 yards a carry at Purdue in the Big Ten. He had under 2 yards before first contact and averaged that. He made big plays and runs just like Bradshaw to me. When you watch them the way he ducks, sidesteps, makes contact... looks Bradshaw to me the way he would get extra yards.
i see similarities too but my memory of bradshaws highlights for first time it was like "holy crap how did this guy fall". yes some of that was more reps against lower level comp.
The 33rd Team
@The33rdTeamFB
Tyrone Tracy Jr. is a perfect addition to the Giants 🗽
His scouting report by
@gregcosell
🚂
STRENGTHS:
- Good-sized back with natural quickness and loose hips who shows excellent short-area burst and elusiveness.
- Shows excellent patience and vision in gap-scheme run game tempo-ing his path to read offensive line pull and defenses.
- Explosive short-area burst through the first level of defense with balance and body control to re-accelerate.
- Can stop and start and re-accelerate both inside and on the edge. Doesn't slow down or lose stride on his cuts.
- Effective in both zone and gap scheme run games showing one-cut downhill burst, patience and tempo.
- Accelerating burst and speed to get to the edge and outflank the defense. Can outrun inside-out pursuit.
- Outstanding shiftiness and elusiveness in confined space to make defenders miss and create extra yardage.
- High-level one-cut downhill ability with sudden change of direction. Works through small creases at first level.
- Makes defenders miss in different ways with multiple moves: lateral quickness, spins, physicality and speed.
- Brings pass-receiving dimension out of the backfield with the ability to run intermediate and vertical routes.
- Shows willingness and tenacity to step up and pass protect vs. blitzing second- and third-level defenders.
WEAKNESSES:
- Still learning the running back position given his college background as a receiver. Lacks needed experience.
- At times, will look for the bigger play when he needs to attack the line of scrimmage and get the hard yards. Is that lack of experience?
- Will need more work in the zone-run game where he has to read blocks, gap fluidity and defensive flow.
- Doesn't possess home-run speed — won't run away from the defense when he gets past the third level.
BOTTOM LINE:
"Tracy will only get better as a runner with more experience, but he showed strong traits with his natural quickness and burst and his elusiveness making defenders miss in multiple ways. Perhaps most impressively, he showed more than functional physicality and competitive toughness to finish runs. Overall, Tracy is one of my favorite backs to watch, and I believe he is an ascending talent. I'm looking forward to seeing who drafts him and how he's deployed."
So so do I. It’s great to see the giants not wasting picks on fringe guys. It looks like the Giants have improved this off season. OL with fa, and coach, WR, and defensive back field and perhaps specials.
3rd down back in a long time. He looks like he fits the bill - as a runner, receiver, and pass protector.
I think the Giants are making draft choices by thinking about role playing much more intentionally than the last couple of regimes did. It's a Parcells approach to offensive personnel.
a bunch of 50+ yard runs. it was just big play after big play running away from people like the run he had against buffalo.
He had way more carries... Tracy averaged 6.3 yards a carry at Purdue in the Big Ten. He had under 2 yards before first contact and averaged that. He made big plays and runs just like Bradshaw to me. When you watch them the way he ducks, sidesteps, makes contact... looks Bradshaw to me the way he would get extra yards.
Like Bradshaw, Tracy pops through the hole and has a lot of muscle so is tough to tackle, sort of a bowling ball guy. Also like Bradshaw he doesn't have break away speed so he gets caught.
STRENGTHS: Well-built athlete with above-average speed … shifty cutting skills to make steep backside cuts and quickly clear the first wave (averaged 4.44 yards after contact in 2023) … abruptly adjusts his pacing to shake defenders in space … has enough run strength to drive through uncommitted tackles … receiver background shows when he is targeted out of the backfield … eager to body up defenders in pass pro and scans quickly to pick up blitzes … only one career fumble (none in 2023)… ranked second in the Big Ten in kick-return yardage in 2023, including a 98-yard touchdown return (17/428/1) … also stood out on kick and punt coverages (six special-teams tackles) … led the team with nine total touchdowns in 2023 (eight rushing, one kick return).
WEAKNESSES: Inconsistent anticipating run lanes and eyes get too big for his appetite … needs to be more efficient pressing and setting up blocks … overly patient on some runs, too impatient on others … momentum occasionally stalls out of his jump cuts and late to hit the gas … slight hip tightness limits his fluidity out in space … guilty of running before securing catches and had a pair of drops (and a few bobbles) on his 2023 tape … willing as a pass blocker but needs to sharpen his technique … missed the Ohio State game in October 2023 because of injury … will turn 25 during his rookie season … spent only one of six college seasons as a running back.
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Purdue, Tracy played a “WideBack” position in offensive coordinator Graham Harrell’s scheme, which utilized his skills as both a running back and wide receiver. After four seasons as a receiver at Iowa, his versatility as ball carrier blossomed in West Lafayette, and in 2023 he led the Big Ten in rushing yards per carry (6.34). Displaying natural instincts with the ball in his hands, Tracy runs with the dynamic agility and elusiveness to slip tackles from different angles (21.9 percent of his carries in 2023 resulted in a 10-plus-yard run, which ranked top five in the FBS). However, his inexperience at running back shows in his sporadic tendencies when choosing run lanes. Overall, Tracy needs to improve his decision-making at the line of scrimmage, but he can create with his quick lateral cuts and contact balance — and he can stay on the field on passing downs. He is a multi-dimensional threat as a rusher, receiver and special teamer, which increases his chances of commanding an NFL roster spot.
Watching the highlights, it looks to me like has good ability to read blocks. His lateral quickness is NFL quality. Looking forward to seeing him play.
These guys are RAVING about Tracy. He got comp’d to Tony Pollard, David Johnson, and Cordarelle Patterson.
One thing that cooled me off of Tracy was the age - he’ll turn 25 during the season. But, if you think about it, giving a RB a second contract is usually a bad investment. Giants will get him for his age 25, 26, 27, 28 seasons. If he’s great, they tag him for his age 29 season. Very low tread too, so this isn’t your typical 25 y/o RB.
gaining 4-5 yards, I will be very happy. Barkley had a tendency to dance around in the backfield looking for the home run opening and often not finding it.
That was an extremely impressive video by underdog fantasy. What I find astounding was the player comps offered here, including Antonio Gibson, Corderelle Patterson and David Johnson. I never heard of this player, so thanks for sharing that video. It was enlightening and calling this guy the best sleeper pick of the draft. After losing Barkley, and watching all the RBs scooped up in front of us, when I saw this guy's name, I was quite disappointed, wondering why we even bothered with this guy I had never heard of. This video really raised my spirits.
And that is a problem because?
Quote:
damn
And that is a problem because?
i thought between corbin/gray/miller we had some bodies.
would have liked to see a chance elsewhere.
I hope that’s inaccurate. Running Backs with poor vision has plagued this offense.
12. TYRONE TRACY, Purdue (5-11, 209, 4.48, 4-5): Started 16 of his 38 games as a wide receiver at Iowa from 2018-’21. Had 36 receptions in 2019. Team captain in ’21. Transferred to Purdue in 2022 and was a backup wideout before moving to running back last year and flourishing. “Love him,” one scout said. “Change of pace guy. Did really well in his first year really playing running back.” Posted 113 of his career total of 146 rushes in 2023 when he led the Big Ten in yards per carry (6.4). Finished with 947 (6.5) and 10 TDs to go with 113 receptions. “Kind of new to the position so he’s feeling it out,” a second scout said. “His vision keeps him alive. Like a No. 3 running back who contributes on special teams. Not a powerful back but he’s grown into that body and stays on his feet and fights for extra yardage. Has enough speed to get outside. Struggled in pass pro.” His 3-cone time of 6.81 led the position. From Indianapolis.
Took advantage of COVID years to convert to RB. Could fit with new KO rules.
Link - ( New Window )
Tyrone Tracy Jr | Running Back | Purdue | 2023 Highlights | 2024 NFL Draft | (Reupload) - ( New Window )
Tyrone Tracy - ( New Window )
I think this is key.
at 210 pounds. not bad.
While still learning the running back position, he'd likely make the transition to the next level in much the same way that Alvin Kamara and Jahmyr Gibbs are deployed by their respective teams. While Tracy isn't at the level of either back (Kamara in his prime, Gibbs right now going into his second season with the Detroit Lions), he would profile in an offense as a complementary primary back and multidimensional receiving weapon who can line up in multiple locations within the formation and could be especially effective as a detached receiver given his background.
Given the kind of running back that Tracy is and how he will best make the transition to the next level — assuming he will be deployed that way, which I believe is the most effective means for him to play in the league — there aren't a lot of weaknesses in his game. I could see him fitting well into an NFL offense that features the back in the passing game, especially with formation versatility.
Tracy will only get better as a runner with more experience, but he showed strong traits with his natural quickness and burst and his elusiveness making defenders miss in multiple ways. Perhaps most impressively, he showed more than functional physicality and competitive toughness to finish runs. Overall, Tracy is one of my favorite backs to watch, and I believe he is an ascending talent. I'm looking forward to seeing who drafts him and how he's deployed.”
He was excellent there
Grade: 75
Sixth-year senior. Four-year starter that spent four seasons at Iowa before his final two at Purdue. Tracy will turn 25 years old as a rookie but in terms of running back age, he is younger than most. He played wide receiver from 2018-2022 before moving into the backfield full time in his final year. In that one season, Tracy finished fourth in the country in yards after contact per attempt in the country among backs with over 100 carries. His career was sputtering, as his best season as a receiver came in 2019. The smooth position move opened a door, one that is searching for pass game weapons out of the backfield. Tracy is not a dynamic or explosive athlete, but he simply knows what to do with the ball in his hands and it shows up as a returner as well. His progression will be an interesting one to follow, one with a high ceiling.
*Tracy is one of the more interesting prospects in the entire draft. He runs like he doesn’t always know what he’s doing but that is part of the intrigue. What happens to him if it does click? He is already productive, and he is already a top-shelf pass catcher the position. He already adds return value. Something about him simply makes sense for a chance on day three because Singletary could easily be elsewhere before the end of 2024, let alone pre-2025. And I view that as the season this team can be ready to compete.
NFL Comparison: Antonio Gibson / NE
Penix did too.
Tracy, for spending so much time in college, doesn't have much tread on the tires. He was WR in Iowa but also did returns and became a RB in Purdue.
At bar in Dover, NH with little service.
Under his write-up you mentioned that Singletary might not be here by the end of the 2024 Season! That’s surprising… would the Giants deal a guy they just signed as a FA?
looks like he got better as the year went on too, biggest games at the end of the year (which makes sense it was his first year at RB).
Tyrone Tracy Jr (Purdue RB) vs Michigan 2023 - ( New Window )
At bar in Dover, NH with little service.
Went to Denver in the 5th.
At bar in Dover, NH with little service.
Long time ago
At bar in Dover, NH with little service.
Yes.
This is a must watch. The football metrics (YPC, YAC, etc.) are absolutely top notch. And pass catching and kick returning. This is a fantastic pick!
I also like the pick. Receiving ability and pass protection, KR, can be good 3rd down back.
Ok,that’s all I needed to hear!
That is a good comp... that is exactly what he looks like when running
In addition you usually only get 4-5 years of good production out of a back. So his age is irrelevant.
@Ourlads_Sy
166) NYG: Tyrone Tracy Jr. - RB/Purdue
Former WR at Iowa (was second leading receiver to Ihmir Smith Marsette at one time) that made the move to RB and finished with a huge year. Finished 4th in country in yards after contact per rush. Elite quickness and burst - still learning position but has a skill set in the passing game very few can match. Love the chance here - huge ceiling.
not sure anyone else in the draft had:
21+ bench reps
40+ vertical
sub-7 3 cone
that's the athletic package of an elite TE/RB/S/LB.
Quote:
Man I hope I'm right
That is a good comp... that is exactly what he looks like when running
bradshaw looked a lot more explosive - he was shot out of a cannon. tracy doesnt look as explosive as his testing to me in the highlights.
Quote:
In comment 16495736 PatersonPlank said:
Quote:
Man I hope I'm right
That is a good comp... that is exactly what he looks like when running
bradshaw looked a lot more explosive - he was shot out of a cannon. tracy doesnt look as explosive as his testing to me in the highlights.
I think we are watching different Highlights then. He looks explosive to me.
Wow….what a great video…those 2 guys loved him immensely. Only one year at the position…I’m excited….I now can see why Sy loves him. THANKS JOE SCHOEN
Height/Weight: 5’11”/209 School: Purdue/Iowa
Comparison Spectrum: Kenyan Drake - - X
Depth of Talent Score: 75.6 = Contributor: Starter execution in a limited role; diminishing returns beyond that scope.
Tracy is on the cusp of the Reserve Tier: Contributor with limitations in scope and execution.
The Elevator Pitch: Tracy spent four years as a wide receiver and return specialist at Iowa. Watch his Iowa tape and you see a wealth of trapping targets to his body and fighting the football, which is among the reasons why he’s more intriguing as a running back.
Tracy is an elusive runner who layers movements in the open field to avoid defenders. He gets his feet and knees high enough to get over low shots and he can do this while making elusive moves against pursuit.
Tracy has an excellent stiff-arm that he can deliver with reach and power. He uses his pads well when he prepares for contact, but he can improve his overall body lean when he runs between the tackles.
Tracy is a promising athlete with elite change of direction quickness that he applies well as a running back but may have room to get even better as he becomes more adept as a decision maker between the tackles. Tracy can make an early impact in the D’Andre Swift-Kenyan Drake role as a player earning the ball in open space or handed the ball on plays between the tackles that are designed to simulate open space such as draws and toss plays.
A short-term trap-door that could undermine success in this role could be ball security because most of his touches came as a receiver and he has careless moments with ball security between the tackles. If he can continue to learn the position quickly, he could become a productive committee option by the end of his first contract.
Cosell:
He had way more carries... Tracy averaged 6.3 yards a carry at Purdue in the Big Ten. He had under 2 yards before first contact and averaged that. He made big plays and runs just like Bradshaw to me. When you watch them the way he ducks, sidesteps, makes contact... looks Bradshaw to me the way he would get extra yards.
Tracy has the same versatility and slippery-ness that Harvin did.
Percy Harvin at Florida - ( New Window )
Must see video - ( New Window )
Quote:
a bunch of 50+ yard runs. it was just big play after big play running away from people like the run he had against buffalo.
He had way more carries... Tracy averaged 6.3 yards a carry at Purdue in the Big Ten. He had under 2 yards before first contact and averaged that. He made big plays and runs just like Bradshaw to me. When you watch them the way he ducks, sidesteps, makes contact... looks Bradshaw to me the way he would get extra yards.
i see similarities too but my memory of bradshaws highlights for first time it was like "holy crap how did this guy fall". yes some of that was more reps against lower level comp.
@The33rdTeamFB
Tyrone Tracy Jr. is a perfect addition to the Giants 🗽
His scouting report by
@gregcosell
🚂
STRENGTHS:
- Good-sized back with natural quickness and loose hips who shows excellent short-area burst and elusiveness.
- Shows excellent patience and vision in gap-scheme run game tempo-ing his path to read offensive line pull and defenses.
- Explosive short-area burst through the first level of defense with balance and body control to re-accelerate.
- Can stop and start and re-accelerate both inside and on the edge. Doesn't slow down or lose stride on his cuts.
- Effective in both zone and gap scheme run games showing one-cut downhill burst, patience and tempo.
- Accelerating burst and speed to get to the edge and outflank the defense. Can outrun inside-out pursuit.
- Outstanding shiftiness and elusiveness in confined space to make defenders miss and create extra yardage.
- High-level one-cut downhill ability with sudden change of direction. Works through small creases at first level.
- Makes defenders miss in different ways with multiple moves: lateral quickness, spins, physicality and speed.
- Brings pass-receiving dimension out of the backfield with the ability to run intermediate and vertical routes.
- Shows willingness and tenacity to step up and pass protect vs. blitzing second- and third-level defenders.
WEAKNESSES:
- Still learning the running back position given his college background as a receiver. Lacks needed experience.
- At times, will look for the bigger play when he needs to attack the line of scrimmage and get the hard yards. Is that lack of experience?
- Will need more work in the zone-run game where he has to read blocks, gap fluidity and defensive flow.
- Doesn't possess home-run speed — won't run away from the defense when he gets past the third level.
BOTTOM LINE:
"Tracy will only get better as a runner with more experience, but he showed strong traits with his natural quickness and burst and his elusiveness making defenders miss in multiple ways. Perhaps most impressively, he showed more than functional physicality and competitive toughness to finish runs. Overall, Tracy is one of my favorite backs to watch, and I believe he is an ascending talent. I'm looking forward to seeing who drafts him and how he's deployed."
Yup.
I think the Giants are making draft choices by thinking about role playing much more intentionally than the last couple of regimes did. It's a Parcells approach to offensive personnel.
Link - ( New Window )
Quote:
a bunch of 50+ yard runs. it was just big play after big play running away from people like the run he had against buffalo.
He had way more carries... Tracy averaged 6.3 yards a carry at Purdue in the Big Ten. He had under 2 yards before first contact and averaged that. He made big plays and runs just like Bradshaw to me. When you watch them the way he ducks, sidesteps, makes contact... looks Bradshaw to me the way he would get extra yards.
Like Bradshaw, Tracy pops through the hole and has a lot of muscle so is tough to tackle, sort of a bowling ball guy. Also like Bradshaw he doesn't have break away speed so he gets caught.
That’s some very good, in depth analysis there. Must watch.
WEAKNESSES: Inconsistent anticipating run lanes and eyes get too big for his appetite … needs to be more efficient pressing and setting up blocks … overly patient on some runs, too impatient on others … momentum occasionally stalls out of his jump cuts and late to hit the gas … slight hip tightness limits his fluidity out in space … guilty of running before securing catches and had a pair of drops (and a few bobbles) on his 2023 tape … willing as a pass blocker but needs to sharpen his technique … missed the Ohio State game in October 2023 because of injury … will turn 25 during his rookie season … spent only one of six college seasons as a running back.
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Purdue, Tracy played a “WideBack” position in offensive coordinator Graham Harrell’s scheme, which utilized his skills as both a running back and wide receiver. After four seasons as a receiver at Iowa, his versatility as ball carrier blossomed in West Lafayette, and in 2023 he led the Big Ten in rushing yards per carry (6.34). Displaying natural instincts with the ball in his hands, Tracy runs with the dynamic agility and elusiveness to slip tackles from different angles (21.9 percent of his carries in 2023 resulted in a 10-plus-yard run, which ranked top five in the FBS). However, his inexperience at running back shows in his sporadic tendencies when choosing run lanes. Overall, Tracy needs to improve his decision-making at the line of scrimmage, but he can create with his quick lateral cuts and contact balance — and he can stay on the field on passing downs. He is a multi-dimensional threat as a rusher, receiver and special teamer, which increases his chances of commanding an NFL roster spot.
GRADE: 4th Round
One thing that cooled me off of Tracy was the age - he’ll turn 25 during the season. But, if you think about it, giving a RB a second contract is usually a bad investment. Giants will get him for his age 25, 26, 27, 28 seasons. If he’s great, they tag him for his age 29 season. Very low tread too, so this isn’t your typical 25 y/o RB.
Tyrone Tracy breakdown - ( New Window )
That came to my mind too. Good receiver, and as a runner follows his blocks for a bit then shoots through a gap.