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Is There Room For Orleans Darkwa On The New York Giants Roster?

By Christopher Schwarz

Nov 8, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Giants running back Orleans Darkwa (26) runs with the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Giants running back Orleans Darkwa (26) runs with the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Orleans Darkwa was arguably the most effective running back on the New York Giants roster last season, but is there room for him in 2016?

The position group to watch for the New York Giants as we get closer to training camp is the running backs. The crowded backfield from 2015 only got more crowded during the offseason. Rashad Jennings and Shane Vereen are the only RBs with defined roles at this point. Jennings will start and likely carry the ball 15-18 times while Vereen will resume his duties as a third-down weapon out of the backfield.

Last season, Andre Williams and Orleans Darkwa split the remaining carries, but Jerry Reese added three more bodies to the mix in the offseason. Reese signed veteran Bobby Rainey, drafted Paul Perkins in the fifth round and signed undrafted Marshaun Coprich. Perkins was a late-round steal and will likely make the roster leaving just one spot left for the remaining rushers.

Darkwa was undrafted out of Tulane and eventually landed on the Miami Dolphins practice squad before being acquired by the Giants. Darkwa bided his time while the Giants running game floundered early in the season. Finally in Week 7, he saw some playing time and rushed for a career-best 48 yards.

Orleans showed he had the tough-nosed running style the Giants had been looking for when they drafted Andre Williams in 2014. Darkwa finished the season with 153 yards that averaged 4.3 yards per carry. He drew praise from Giants fans who just wanted to see him get more carries.

Ed Valentine of Big Blue View even maintains that at times he looked better than Jennings last season. “Based on the (too) limited sample we saw a year ago, you could make the argument that Darkwa is the best all-around back of the four who were with the Giants in 2015.”

And yet, this summer it’s looking more and more like Darkwa will be the odd man out. Darkwa missed OTAs with a minor leg injury, but he needs all the reps he can get as he competes for a roster spot.

Jun 15, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants running back Andre Williams (44) runs the ball during mini camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 15, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants running back Andre Williams (44) runs the ball during mini camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports /

Rainey was likely just brought in as a camp body and Coprich is a perfect candidate for the practice squad so really, Darkwa’s competition is really just with Andre Williams. And that’s a problem for Darkwa.

In May, Ben McAdoo gave a full-throated endorsement of Williams urging Giants fans not to ignore their former fourth-round pick. “I think a lot of people may be willing to give up on Andre. I think it may be early for that. I look forward to Andre bouncing back this year and having a bounce-back year.” The Giants have historically preferred keeping their draft picks over outsiders.

The Darkwa vs. Williams showdown will be one to watch during training camp. Darkwa has all the talent and ability, but he’s the underdog in this battle and may end up off the roster by the time the season starts.

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