5 Potential Running Back Options for the Giants

Whether Giants running back Saquon Barkley leaves in free agency, which is a strong possibility, the Giants still need veteran depth at running back. Here are five potential names to watch.

Author:
Andrew Parsaud
Publish date:
Mar 11, 2024 11:14 AM EDT

In this story:

The New York Giants decided not to franchise tag running back Saquon Barkley for a second straight season, unwilling to pay premium money to retain their top running back. Barkley has made it clear he wants to be a Giant for life, but that’s becoming less likely. When the negotiating window opens on Monday, Barkley will hit the open market for the first time in his career.

With Barkley, who hasn't closed the door on a return to the Giants, likely to pursue opportunities elsewhere, here are some potential replacements who might be a fit to join the team's running backs room.

Devin Singletary, Houston

Age: 26
Height: 5-foot-7
Weight: 207 pounds
2023 stats: 216 attempts, 898 yards, four touchdowns, 4.2 yards per carry

General manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll were on the Bills when they drafted Singletary in 2019. In four years with the Bills, Singletary rushed for 3,151 yards and 16 touchdowns, averaging 4.7 yards per carry. He also adds some versatility in the passing game, having at least 29 catches in every year. Singletary is durable, missing just one game over the last four years.

Although he's not as big as Barkley, Singletary has been a consistent runner throughout his career and is only 26 years old. He would be a solid addition for the Giants.

Zack Moss, Indianapolis

Age: 26
Height: 5-foot-9
Weight: 205 pounds
2023 stats: 183 attempts, 794 yards, five touchdowns, 4.3 yards per carry

Another Buffalo connection, Moss was a third-round pick of the Bills in 2020 before being traded to the Colts in 2022. Moss had decent opportunities in his first two seasons with the Bills, rushing for 826 yards and eight touchdowns in a limited role. In 2022, the team drafted James Cook as their lead back, leading to Moss being traded.

Moss stepped in well during Jonathan Taylor’s absence last year, totaling almost 1,000 total scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns in eight starts. Moss has missed games each year that he’s been in the league, but he would be another cheaper option for the Giants.

D’Andre Swift, Philadelphia

Age: 25
Height: 5-foot-9
Weight: 215 pounds
2023 stats: 229 attempts, 1,049 yards, five touchdowns, 4.6 yards per carry

Could the Giants poach someone from a rival? It’s possible, especially after Swift showed what he could do last year with the Eagles. He was traded during the draft by the Lions for a 2023 7th-round and 2025 4th-round pick. Swift started 2023 strong, with 175-yard and 130-yard performances in Weeks 2 and 3, respectively. Early on, it looked like Swift would be on a tear for the rest of the season, but he died down from there, not being able to eclipse over 100 rushing yards in a game again.

He still ended the year with over 1,000 rushing yards, the first time he’s done that in his career. Swift is also versatile in the passing game, having at least 39 catches in every season of his career. He’d be a more-than-average signing for the Giants.

Washington Commanders running back Antonio Gibson (24) runs with the ball at MetLife Stadium, in East Rutherford, Sunday December 24, 2023.
Kevin R. Wexler / USA TODAY NETWORK

Antonio Gibson, Washington

Age: 25
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 220 pounds
2023 stats: 65 attempts, 265 yards, one touchdown, 4.1 yards per carry

Another potential rival signing, Gibson seemed to be something for the Commanders early in his career. He rushed for 795 yards and 11 touchdowns as a rookie, along with 1,037 yards and seven touchdowns in 2021.

He also added 294 yards and three touchdowns in the air in 2021. So what was the problem? Gibson had a fumbling issue, losing the ball six times in 2021. His role was diminished once the Commanders drafted Brian Robinson Jr in 2022, but the fumbles continued into last year, coughing it up four times.

Gibson was used strictly as a receiving back in 2023, catching 48 passes for 389 yards and two touchdowns. Gibson is still young, has good size, and has a 1,000-yard rushing season under his belt. He could potentially revive his career on the Giants.

A.J. Dillon, Green Bay

Age: 25
Height: 6 foot
Weight: 247 pounds
2023 stats: 178 attempts, 613 yards, two touchdowns, 3.4 yards per carry

Dillon’s always been in a backup role during his time with the Packers. Given his large frame, he’s more of a power back and has been fairly durable the last three seasons, only missing two games in that period. If the Giants added Dillon, he’d also come relatively cheap. He also adds value in the passing game, catching 22 passes for 223 yards last year. Dillon has versatility and could be an underrated option for the Giants.