RD 7 (247th): Michael Warren II – RB, Cincinnati
As we near the end of the draft, I opted to draft a reliable short-yardage running back, Michael Warren II out of the University of Cincinnati with the 247th overall selection. Incredibly, Warren II had 37 total touchdowns and ZERO fumbles in his final two seasons with Cincinnati.
While the New York Giants currently have a full stable of running backs with Saquon Barkley, recent free-agent addition Dion Lewis, and Wayne Gallman, Warren II gives them additional depth who could push Gallman for the third spot on the depth chart. Even if he is unable to push Gallman, he represents a solid depth piece who can contribute on special teams for the Giants.
The Giants came into the 2019 season looking like they had a ton of depth at running back with Barkley, Gallman, and Rod Smith but then all three went down with injuries and the Giants were forced to roll with undrafted free agent Jon Hilliman, fullback Eli Penny and ultimately had to sign veteran Buck Allen who wasn’t on a roster.
Adding Warren gives them additional depth should they be ravaged by injuries. Given the incredible stats that Warren II put up with the Bearcats and the trend of late-round picks and undrafted free agent running backs excelling in the NFL, he represents a potential dark horse to succeed with the Giants as Barkley’s backup.
With the 255th overall and final pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the New York Giants selected: