Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson had a pair of visits this week, with more to come
On Wednesday and Thursday, Kaleb Johnson had visits with the New York Giants and Cincinnati, respectively, in preparation for the 2025 NFL Draft. The Big Ten Running Back of the Year and consensus All-American will assuredly have more “top-30” visits in the coming week.
The Giants have made it no secret that they are entertaining the idea of a big-ticket running back during the draft as a possible upgrade from starter Tyrone Tracy and Devin Singletary. New York won’t likely spend their No. 3 overall pick on a running back, but they do pick again at No.34. Projected as an early Day 2 pick, he should still be on the board when the Giants select second in Round 2.
Cincinnati has rapidly become a wildcard in the draft by way of dipping their toes in the pool with visits from TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins (OSU) in addition to welcoming in Johnson on Thursday. The Bengals own the 49th overall pick (coming in Round 2) and Johnson will likely be off the board, barring a trade-up scenario for Cincinnati.
Johnson rushed for 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns at Iowa in 2024 alone and has rapidly become a hot name to watch in an already talented draft class. He’s hoping to take his electric running style and stellar pass protection to a starting role in the league.
Author: Sam Schneider (@BuyAndSellYou)
If he's healthy, New York Giants running back Devin ...
New York Giants running back Devin Singletary could produce...
New York Giants running back Devin Singletary faces a ...
Malik Nabers centerpiece of limited New York offense
The Giants need a quarterback and are in pole position for the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. They face a Falcons defense that gives up the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. Malik Nabers is the only pass catcher fantasy mangers will be considering playing in the fantasy playoffs. He holds a 40.2-percent Target Share over the last three games. He’s hard to bench with that kind of volume, especially in PPR leagues. The drawback is the Giants are expected to start Drew Lock, but Lock targeted Nabers 13 and 10 times, respectively, in his two starts (Weeks 13 and 14). If the rookie receiver can somehow manage a touchdown in the Giants’ offense, he is a smash start.
Tyrone Tracy has gotten volume that matters – 52 looks in the last three – but he is also a touchdown-dependent play. The Falcons are the 10th-toughest matchup for opposing running backs and Tracy is dealing with an ankle injury that may hold him out of Sunday’s game. If the rookie RB can’t go, Devin Singletary would be in line for increased usage, but is not a week-winning play in the fantasy playoffs.
– Joel Ybarra, @metaffb
Rookie wide receiver an elite target earner despite Giants woes
The Giants were trounced by the Ravens 35-14 Sunday. Malik Nabers was the lone standout for the G-men, earning 14 targets and catching 10 for 82 yards and a touchdown. With a 6.2 ADOT in this one and Tommy DeVito/Tim Boyle throwing Nabers the ball, he is not racking up gawdy yardage. The rookie is a solid PPR play, however. Scoring his first touchdown since Week 3 helps, but the Giants cannot be expected to be productive in that department. They have not topped 20 points in their last five contests. None of the other pass catchers is producing at a startable level for fantasy. None recorded more than four catches or 40 yards versus the Ravens.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary split the backfield work in this one, Tracy carrying the ball 10 times to Singletary’s eight. Tracy was targeted four times to Singletary’s three, but the rookie caught just one pass while Singletary caught all three. Neither back topped 50 yards from scrimmage, Singletary scoring the lone rushing TD in the second quarter. Nabers is safe as a PPR play, but the whole Giants offensive unit will continue to struggle with the question marks at quarterback.
– Joel Ybarra, @metaffb
Giants rookie running back to split touches with Devin Singletary
Devin Singletary missed Weeks 5 and 6 with a groin injury and, in his absence, Tyrone Tracy Jr. shouldered the majority of the Giants’ backfield workload. Tracy had 18 and 17 carries, respectively, both higher than Singletary’s highest number of carries (16) in a game this season. The rookie also earned six targets in Week 6, besting Singletary’s highest single-game target total.
Tracy Jr. racked up some nice yardage totals in those two starts, compiling over 100 yards from scrimmage in each. His 4.2 (No. 34) True Yards Per Carry mark is better than Singletary’s (3.6, No. 52), but Singletary has been one of the most evasive and efficient backs in the league this season (31.2-percent Juke Rate – No. 4, 4.38 Yards Created Per Touch – No. 8).
Head coach Brian Daboll has been vocal about his trust in “Motor,” so fantasy gamers should not expect Tracy has completed a backfield takeover. Still, it sounds like Tracy’s strong showings are a starting point for his usage in the Giants’ offense. Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka said of Tracy, “He’s done a great job in the pass game, in the screen game, in the running game. We’re just going to continue building off of that.” Look for Tracy to produce flex-worthy RB production as the Giants look to their young talent to provide offensive pop.
– Joel Ybarra, @metaffb
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. is garnering playing time with the first-team Giants’ offense in mini-camp
The Giants’ 2024 fifth round pick, Tyrone Tracy Jr., has earned playing time with the first team New York offense in training camp. The report also indicates that Tracy Jr. is already making a case to be the Giants’ preferred back on passing downs. He demonstrated his pass-catching prowess in college accumulating 47 receptions over his final two seasons at Iowa.
Mini-camp is an opportunity to see younger players the coaching staff hasn’t seen before, so fantasy managers shouldn’t look too much into this. Devin Singletary and Eric Gray still present formidable competition, and it is Singletary who will certainly get the first crack at the starting role. However, this is one of the least talented running back rooms in the NFL and Tracy will likely get an opportunity to prove himself.
Garry Brightwell has been waived by the New York Giants
The New York Giants have decided to part ways with second year running back Gary Brightwell. A sixth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Brightwell played sparingly across three NFL seasons. This leaves Devin Singletary, Eric Gray, Joshuan Corbin, Tyrone Tracy Jr., and Dante Miller as the remaining running backs.
Singletary is the favorite to get the bulk of the carries, however Eric Gray has received a lot of first team reps recently at OTAs. This may pour some cold water on the hype Tyrone Tracy has received post NFL Draft. Tracy managers shouldn’t fret though. This is still one of the least talented running back depth charts in the NFL, and Tracy will likely get an opportunity to get on the field sooner rather than later.
