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There are currently a plethora of capable RBs on the depth chart for the New York Giants. While I’m not too worried about Peyton Hillis or Michael Cox, I do believe that both David Wilson and Andre Williams could pose a potential threat to usurp Rashad Jennings as the starter. One of these three RBs in New York could end the 2014 season as the main back with quite a bit of value in fantasy football. Let’s break down each one.
Rashad Jennings
This offseason, the Giants signed Jennings to a four-year, $14 million contract. Jennings performed admirably last season while Darren McFadden was injured. He ended the year with over 700 rushing yards and six TDs along with almost 300 yards receiving.
Jennings is certainly capable of leading the Giants’ rushing attack. During his first two seasons, he averaged over 5.3 yards per carry, and Jennings proved last year that he could serve as a bell cow back.
At 6-foot-1 and 231 pounds, Jennings is a big back but has good speed, running a 4.59 40-yard dash. While Jennings is 29 years old, he has fewer than 500 career touches and plenty of gas in the tank. Barring injury, he should be the lead back in New York when the season begins.
David Wilson
In 2013, Wilson suffered a season-ending neck injury after five weeks and was placed on IR. He underwent surgery on his neck in January and awaits a checkup next week to potentially clear him medically before training camp begins.
While Jennings is a proficient rusher, Wilson has the speed and agility that makes him an explosive back capable of rushing for game-breaking runs. Wilson ran a 4.38 40-yard dash and can break away in the open field. Despite weighing only 205 pounds, he can also push over defenders and power through contact.
If Wilson is cleared in time for training camp and showcases that he can still perform like he did toward the end of his rookie season, he could have a legitimate chance to reclaim the starting job in New York. While Jennings can be the workhorse, Wilson could be the next big thing. The main thing holding him back is the health concern.
Andre Williams
The Giants selected Williams in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. A finalist for the Heisman Trophy, Williams rushed for over 2,100 yards and 17 TDs during his final season at Boston College.
At 5-foot-11 and 230 pounds, Williams has good cutting abilities but is also a punishing back who can bowl over defenders. However, he also has surprising speed and can break for long TD runs with his 4.56 40-yard dash time. Williams runs more like Jennings than Wilson, but he is eight years younger.
While the rookie may not see many snaps this season, he could have ample opportunity if Jennings misses any time and Wilson re-injures his neck. Williams is more of a late-round flier than a real contender for the starting role in 2014, but he could have immense upside.
Conclusion
Head coach Tom Coughlin loves to run the ball when the Giants get close to the end zone. Per Matthew Berry over at ESPN, Giants RBs have the second-most rushing TDs and the 11th most rushing yards over the last five years. The Giants also ran the ball on 55 percent of plays inside the 10-yard line over that time period, the seventh-highest rate in the league.
Whichever RB starts in New York this year has plenty of potential to score points in fantasy. Jennings is the Giants RB I would want as of right now and is worth his current fifth-round ADP. But Wilson could conceivably overtake him if he is medically cleared and impresses the coaches in training camp and preseason. Williams is also a long shot that could pay big dividends if Jennings and Wilson both miss time.
Meng Song is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ms0ng, “like” him on Facebook or add him to your Google+ network.
