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As the 2016 NFL Draft approaches, there has been one name associated with the New York Giants in several mock drafts: Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott. While the Giants could certainly use a running back who plays all three downs, they aren’t likely to invest a first-round pick in one.
When it comes to rushing the football, the Giants were ranked 19th in the NFL with 1,609 yards rushing on 403 carries. They averaged a respectable 4.0 yards-per-carry which could certainly be improved upon as it ranked them 18th in the NFL. However, the Giants’ biggest issue last season with their run game was usage more than anything.
The Giants used four running backs last season with Rashad Jennings getting the vast majority of the carries with 195 for 863 yards, a 4.4 average. Shane Vereen came in second with 61 carries for 260 yards, a 4.3 yard average. Andre Williams rushed 88 times for 257 yards, a paltry 2.9 average. Orleans Darkwa rounded out the running backs with 36 carries for 153 yards, a respectable 4.3 yard average.
The Giants allowed only one running back to carry the ball more than 20 times in a game — Jennings who did it only twice — and never before the Dec. 14 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. The Giants never used the running game much last season because then-offensive coordinator, and current head coach, Ben McAdoo simply doesn’t put much stock in it.
Was the increase in rushing attempts for Jennings a sign that McAdoo was seeing what the running game had to offer? It seems unlikely, because if that were the case he would have carried the ball more than 16 and 14 times he did in the games between his 20-plus carry games.
The Giants used a first-round pick on a running back once in GM Jerry Reese’s tenure (David Wilson in 2012). McAdoo wasn’t on the staff then either, so that point is as moot as Ron Dayne being drafted in 2000.
It is almost inconceivable to see the Giants selecting a running back, even one as talented as Elliott, with the No. 10 overall pick. The Giants still believe in Williams. They are still paying Jennings a decent amount of money. They also saw something they liked in Darkwa.
Elliott is a good running back and the best prospect at his position in the draft. He could certainly add a new element to the Giants’ offense, so he does make some sense. It is just too hard to see the Giants spending such a high pick on a position their head coach doesn’t value that much in a year their general manager is supposedly fighting for his job.
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