If there was a bright spot from the New York Giants’ 2024 season that lends itself to optimism in 2025, it was the success of the rookie class. Receiver Malik Nabers is a superstar, corner Dru Phillips looks like a quality starter in the slot, and after one season, New York seems to have found five starters – at least for now.
Among them was fifth-round running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. By midseason, he had taken running back Devin Singletary’s job, running with his opportunity and providing the offense an avenue to create explosive plays.
However, Day 3 backs are notoriously expendable, and promising backs have been cast aside by newer, shinier toys in the next season. Rookie running back Cam Skattebo threatens Tracy’s playing time. For now, the two project to be a strong pairing, complementing each other stylistically and adding credibility to the backfield.
The best way for Tracy to fend off Skattebo is to entrench himself as a long-term starter. Ascending from a feel-good story to stardom, according to Tracy, comes down to consistency. The Giants running back set his expectations for a potential breakout season on Thursday.
”I think consistency is the best thing that shows up in the NFL,” Tracy said, via team transcript. “When you look at all of the great running backs, they're very consistent year after year after year. So that's what I want to be. I want to be one of the great New York Giants running backs that's come through here, but it starts with consistency, and that's going to start at practice every day.”
There’s both good and bad news waiting for him along New York’s offensive line. The Giants will return each of its starters in 2025, leaving the offseason without an upgrade. Yet, much of Tracy’s production came after Week 6, when star left tackle Andrew Thomas went down with a season-ending injury. The unit collapsed from there, crumbling with its quarterback and putting its ground game behind the eight ball.
A healthy offensive line and a quarterback upgrade both stand to benefit Tracy. Also aiding in his growth is his year of experience.
“The only difference is I've been here before,” he said. “I know what's going to happen. I know training camp is coming up. I know I've got to prepare my body, prepare my mind, prepare my soul for what's going to happen during the season. But I'm still grinding, man. I'm still grinding. There's really no safe space in the league. In the NFL, everyone's trying to take your spot. I'm grinding every day trying to make sure that the coaches can trust me and that my teammates trust me.”
Tracy, a converted receiver, exceeded expectations as a rookie, impressing with his instincts and shedding the passing-down moniker that was attached to him. After a strong rookie season, another jump could be in store for New York’s backfield.
