The upcoming draft for the New York Giants has the potential to be one of the most impactful for 2026. The team has a solid roster foundation and needs just a few pieces to take the next step, but injuries remain an unresolved issue that must be addressed.
That sums up the dilemma the franchise faces with running back Cam Skattebo, a fourth-round pick by the Giants in 2025 who showed promise but suffered an injury midseason and missed the rest of the year. For analyst Todd McShay, the team should already be preparing a Plan B in this draft.
Giants Should Be Cautious About Cam Skattebo’s Future
The Giants have spent years trying to regain the competitive stability they had in the early 2010s, when they were led by Eli Manning and won the Super Bowl in the 2011 season. Since then, the franchise has often been an easy target for opponents, with only brief flashes of success.
The young core heading into 2026 is promising. Jaxson Dart has shown significant potential, Skattebo impressed when on the field, and Malik Nabers is one of the top talents at his position. However, all three dealt with injuries last season, highlighting the team’s biggest issue right now: the ability to stay healthy.
And Skattebo is currently the Giants’ biggest concern moving forward. McShay discussed on his podcast how the team should be worried about the running back’s durability and that it may be wise to consider another option later in the draft to provide depth behind him throughout the season.
“I’m scared to death about Skattebo,” McShay said. “If I’m just being honest, if we’re having a real conversation… If John (Harbaugh) called me and was like, ‘Hey, what do you think?’ I’d be like, I’m scared to death that Skattebo is going to be able to stay healthy. I’d draft another one in the fifth this year, because Tyrone Tracy isn’t enough.”
There is already a natural concern about Skattebo’s playing style potentially leading to concussions or head injuries, as he frequently lowers his body into contact and relies on physicality to gain extra yards. But beyond that, what sidelined him in 2026 was a dislocated ankle.
His history helps, as he did not sustain major injuries during his time in college football, but it is inevitable that the running back position exposes him to more contact, and the franchise may view the situation similarly. Despite his potential, thinking about durability is a way for the Giants to protect themselves and remain competitive.
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In 2026, Skattebo ranked as the 34th running back in the PFSN RB Impact Metric with an impact score of 57.3. He appeared in eight games, five as a starter, and recorded seven touchdowns while producing 617 yards from scrimmage.
Skattebo’s production was encouraging, and if healthy, he is expected to enter the year as the starter alongside Dart, with whom he has strong chemistry.
