Could explosive NY Giants undrafted runningback make the squad?

The NY Giants gave out one of their highest undrafted free agent contract guarantees to a runningback; does he have a shot of making the team?

Heading into the 2020 NFL Draft, I felt that even though the NY Giants had a strong 1-2 punch, there was still room for more in the runningback room, particularly in the short-yardage area. While undrafted free-agent addition, Javon Leake, won’t totally fit that billing, he has the size and explosives to be an exciting ‘back.

The Giants liked him enough to guarantee him 75K – the third-highest out of all the UDFA’s – although I guess you could say if they liked him so much, they would have used one of their 7th round picks on him.

Still, runningback wasn’t a pressing need so it was probably prudent to try to attack a bigger need with a bunch of young players like they did, hoping Leake would make it to free agency. That’s what happened, and Big Blue pounced.

Javon Leake has the size to be a bruising back at 6’1 215 pounds, but that’s not his game. He’s a counter runner and a slasher, a true big-play back. He averaged 7.9 yards-per-carry in college on 145 carries.

Leake played sparingly during his three years at Maryland and ran into some bad luck when Anthony McFarland Jr. signed on to Maryland after him, as McFarland was an Under Armour All-American and big-time recruit.

Although Leake had some pedigree of his own, being a three-star recruit, it was going to be hard for him to win the lead role from McFarland. Admirably, by the time they were both in their third seasons, Leake had got the split close to 50-50 after McFarland began to fall off and Leake continued to average over 7 yards-per-carry.

Leake also averaged a touchdown on every 8.5 carries which is a ridiculous statistic. He was the classic example of a terrific player stuck behind a player that was just a little better (at the time) – McFarland ended up being drafted by the Steelers in the 4th round this year and would have gone higher if not for an injury.

Just 21-years-old, Leake has a ton of good football left ahead of him and will be as fresh as any runningback prospect coming into the league in 2020.

Wayne Gallman and Jonathan Hilliman should be nervous about him taking their spots because it is a distinct possibility.

I have a feeling this kid is going to put on a show in the preseason.