New York Giants rookie running back Cam Skattebo continues to win over football fans everywhere, not just Big Blue Nation. But more importantly, he's gaining confidence with each game and earning the respect of his peers across the NFL.
Skattebo announced himself to the league in primetime with a three-touchdown statement performance in the Giants' surprising 34-17 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. He's become the focal point of New York's offense early in his pro career and ostensibly recognizes that comes with such gravitational pull.
When addressing the media ahead of the Giants' upcoming clash with the Denver Broncos, Skattebo was asked if he anticipates opponents playing against him differently. The 2025 fourth-round pick assuredly declared that this shift will begin happening, though his comments made it sound like a good thing for New York.
Cam Skattebo quietly uncovered Giants’ most exciting storyline
"Yeah, I think it's going to start," Skattebo told reporters about the likelihood of defenses adjusting accordingly to his ongoing breakout. " ... you can plan for it, there's other people on the team ... if people start game planning for me, then there's going to be other ways to get the ball to other people."
Optionality and the ability to mask and improve areas of weakness are luxuries the G-Men haven't had in what feels like forever, specifically offensively. They've perennially been at the mercy of taking what foes give them and unable to impose their will. However, the threat Skattebo presents opens the playbook for New York's offensive coordinator, Mike Kafka, and he knows it.
It almost sounded like Skattebo was daring squads to stack the box and put an increased emphasis on stopping him. He seemingly understands and is leaning into the "everybody eats" mentality. This mindset can propel an undermanned Giants scoring unit that has caught lightning in a bottle to be greater than the sum of its parts.
Fresh off finding pay dirt thrice against Philadelphia en route to being named FedEx Air & Ground Player of the Week, Skattebo is a target. He has done enough to garner the attention of rival clubs. His combination of production and physical, barreling play style has and should keep making life easier for fellow Giants newcomer, quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Through Week 6, Skattebo is tied for the third-most missed tackles in football (20) and ranks ninth in yards after contact (226). He's hard to bring down, especially after first touch. He gives Dart and the G-Men an effective rushing attack, which will free up opportunities and mismatches for pass-catchers in due course.
Note: Stats courtesy of Fantasy Points' data suite.