With roughly a month until training camp, ESPN still doesn’t know what to make of the 2026 New York Giants, and more specifically, second-year running back Cam Skattebo.
Some at the network, such as Peter Schrager, are extremely bullish on Skattebo, John Harbaugh, Jaxson Dart, and the new-look Giants.
There are others, most notably Field Yates, who have high hopes about unexpected players rather than your usual sleeper candidates.
Then, you have Bill Barnwell.
Not only is Barnwell down on the Giants, but he considers their skill players — receivers, running backs, and tight ends — to be the league’s second worst, behind only the Miami Dolphins.
Barnwell only focused on 2026 in his analysis rather than contract situations or “future outlook," and factored health into the equation, too. Ultimately, he was much lower on Skattebo and the G-Men, yet the logic was flawed.
ESPN analyst’s Cam Skattebo analysis is outright absurd
Barnwell claimed that Skattebo is “already below average by metrics such as yards per carry, success rate, and explosive play rate as a rookie before the injury.”
Success rate is exactly what it sounds like: whether an attempt is a first down, moving closer to the chains, or so forth.
Skattebo’s success rate, at least on Pro-Football-Reference, was 50.5 percent, actually above league average. However, he failed to qualify because of a gruesome lower leg injury that cut his promising rookie campaign short.
Not that Barnwell is a big fan of Skattebo’s, though, and he arguably implied that the former Arizona State standout is overrated among fans. Conversely, the Los Angeles Chargers' Omarion Hampton posted a 46.8 percent success rate, but Barnwell sees him as a future Pro Bowler who is “capable of making the leap” this season.
So the eye test works for Hampton, but we need to cite metrics for Skattebo? Make it make sense.
Let’s discuss Bill Barnwell hinting that Cam Skattebo is overrated
It’s entirely possible for something to be good, or even great, while also being overrated. That’s how I feel about Heath Ledger’s Joker.
Even if Skattebo was below-average in an advanced metric or two, did that really warrant Barnwell calling him out the way he did?
Pro Football Focus graded Skattebo No. 13 of 55 qualified running backs. So, which is it? Is Skattebo a poor running back analytically, or is he significantly above average?
The truth may very well be something in between, and that’s a reality that those who are overly reliant on metrics will never acknowledge.
Skattebo hasn’t played long enough to be underrated or overrated — at least in the traditional, conversational sense.
We don’t even need analytics to know that Skattebo flashed when he was healthy, and he’ll be counted on to play a massive role in the Giants’ rushing attack.
The Giants don’t need Skattebo to be a PFF darling or earn Barnwell’s approval because of some obscure metric.
Then again, Barnwell also put the Cardinals at No. 6. Even including the Cardinals in the top 20 would’ve warranted a raised eyebrow, but that is … certainly something.
Forget ESPN not knowing what to make of the 2026 Giants. I’m left wondering if they even know what to make of the league itself.
For what it's worth, Skattebo is expected to be a full participant in training camp.
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