Maybe now, Tyrone Tracy will get some respect. As a fifth-round draft choice, it was a long time coming last year, and even when it did, I’m not sure it was fully appreciated. And heading into the 2025 season, Tracy still isn’t getting his due.
Bucky Irving did finish with 283 rushing yards, 108 receiving yards, and two touchdowns more than Tracy, but the two second-year running backs are being looked at very differently. Now, there is a reason for that, and I’m not looking to compare the two as peers. There’s no need to rush out and draft Tracy in the second round or point and laugh at me for suggesting it.
That’s not meant to be the takeaway here. First of all, with ADP of around 90, you don’t have to. It would simply be irresponsible, as would be advocating for it. I’m not looking to break the internet and say that Tracy is an RB1 and a top-12 running back. But he’s also better than we give him credit for.
I have no issues saying that Tracy will finish as an RB2 in the top-24, and maybe the top-20 if I really want to get bold. After all, what is August in fantasy football if we aren’t going to get a little crazy?
There’s also a difference between crazy for the sake of being crazy and taking a stand. The fact that Tracy is going off the board around RB30 makes a big difference here. He’s certainly someone I’m going to target at this point in the draft.
Last year, the New York Giants were a pure disaster on offense. To be honest, that might be putting it mildly. Tracy was a rookie, the offensive line was a revolving door and the quarterback play left a lot to be desired. With Devin Singletary signed to be the starter, Tracy was expected to simply have a complementary role.
All Tracy did was rush for 839 yards and five touchdowns while adding 284 yards and another touchdown through the air on 38 catches. Had he not struggled with fumbling, five in 230 touches, it could have been an even bigger season for Tracy. The leap towards him being a 1,000-yard rusher and finishing with 1,500 total yards is a very mild one to make.
Every facet of the Giants offense is going to be improved this season. Russell Wilson represents a tremendous upgrade under center. The entire New York offense will be better for Wilson. That will open things up on the ground for Tracy.
New York should be more competitive, which also means a better game flow for Tracy. Singletary is still in the mix, but his role will be as more of a support option. The Giants did draft Cameron Skattebo in a move that has generated some buzz. However, the rookie is dealing with some injury issues this summer, and at least at the start, Skattebo will be delayed. When healthy, I’d expect him to be in more of a support role with Tracy the main option.
With a 16.1% broken tackle rate last year, Tracy was able to make something out of nothing while averaging 4.4 yards per carry. There’s minimal risk with Tracy’s draft price, but there could be real value if you wait to secure your second running back while loading up at other positions.
