The New York Giants’ backfield presents one of the most intriguing fantasy football battles heading into the 2025 season. Tyrone Tracy Jr., who burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2024, now faces serious competition from newly drafted Cam Skattebo, a versatile back with bell-cow potential.
This position battle could significantly impact fantasy football draft strategies, as both players offer unique skill sets that could thrive in different roles. With Russell Wilson’s tendency to target running backs frequently, the Giants’ backfield situation deserves close attention from fantasy football managers looking for value and upside.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. Fantasy Outlook
Tracy turned heads in 2024 as the then-rookie won the Giants’ starting running back role from veteran Devin Singletary. Tracy took on a lead role from Week 5 and was the RB22 in fantasy points per game from that week on.
The rookie’s usage dropped following the team’s Week 11 bye, but a boost in receiving work kept his fantasy value afloat. After recording over 100 rushing yards in three of his first six starts, Tracy failed to reach 60 rushing yards in any of the following seven.
TYRONE TRACY JR. 🔥
A 45-YARD TOUCHDOWN TO KEEP THE GIANTS IN IT 😤 #NYGvsPIT | ABC, ESPN, ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/MRLgsnavoq
— ESPN (@espn) October 29, 2024
The arrival of do-it-all back Skattebo in the fourth round of April’s draft threatens to relegate Tracy to a support role in 2025, but he could retain his pass-catching work.Â
That could be important with Russell Wilson under center. Since leaving Seattle, Wilson has targeted running backs at a rate of 22.2% (2022), 29.5% (2023), and 22.3% (2024). All three numbers rank in the top 12 over those three years; no other quarterback appears in the top 12 more than once.
If Tracy can hold on to at least half of the rushing work, he could be a valuable PPR asset this season. However, his inconsistent numbers from Week 12 onward give Skattebo a strong chance to take over, and New York’s schedule is atrocious this year. Managers who have already drafted a safe floor can take a shot at Tracy’s upside, but far safer assets are being drafted in the same area.
— Cameron Sheath, Fantasy Football Analyst
Cam Skattebo Fantasy Outlook
Skattebo is the complete package as far as running backs go. His ability to lower his shoulder while still being elusive makes him difficult to stop. He also manages to remain smooth through contact, with exceptional contact balance that allows him to pick up additional yards that others wouldn’t.
That said, Tracy Jr. showed plenty of playmaking ability in 2024 and is an accomplished pass catcher, having played receiver for his first four years in college. Tracy did slow down on the ground towards the end of last season, though, suggesting there may be a ready-made role for Skattebo to walk into.
Skattebo is capable of handling bell-cow usage — he carried the ball 293 times in 13 games last year, averaging 22.54 carries per game. For context, Saquon Barkley led all NFL backs with 345 carries in 16 games, averaging 21.56 per game.
Skattebo caught 45 passes in his final year at Arizona State, more than Tracy caught in any year at college, even when playing receiver. If Skattebo can eat into Tracy’s receiving role, he could quickly establish himself as a three-down back in New York. The Giants’ 2025 schedule is horrendous, but that much usage would still make him a huge value in drafts.
— Cameron Sheath, Fantasy Football Analyst
