If it weren't for a nagging hamstring injury, hype would probably be off the charts for New York Giants rookie running back Cam Skattebo. Since he's arrived in East Rutherford, he's done and said all the right things and has instantly become a fan favorite. It's not hard to see why.
New York needs a back who isn't afraid to play bully ball, and Skatt brings that and then some. He's so much more than just a bruiser, so put him in a box at your own peril. During his last season at Arizona State, the Heisman finalist ended his season with 2,316 scrimmage yards and 24 total touchdowns. He can run defenders over, but it's his catching out of the backfield that makes him one of the more interesting players on the roster.
The 23-year-old will be featured in a rotation with Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary, but don't be surprised if he forces himself into a more prominent role. His talent is undeniable, and it's got Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox labeling him as the Giants' biggest X-factor for the 2025 season.
Cam Skattebo named Giants biggest X-factor for 2025 for good reason
Biggest X-factor has a nice ring to it, although there are inherent grey areas attached to X-factor. Most electric would have been cool. Biggest surprise could have been fun. But we'll take him being the 'biggest table turner' heading into the season.
Knox outlines Skatt's role and what will inevitably make him so important to the franchise, writing:
"Rookie running back Cam Skattebo has the potential to make the group [Malik Nabers, Theo Johnson, and Tracy Jr.] even better. His physical running style can give the Giants an edge in late-game or short-yardage situations, and he can partner with Tracy and Devin Singletary to give New York a fantastic backfield rotation."
That sounds exactly like what Big Blue needs. Even though Tracy had a fine rookie season, he lacks the short-area battering-ram mentality the rookie brings, and when it gets colder and games get tighter, that's the kind of guy you want in the backfield. He's a finisher.
Look no further than his incredible run at ASU last year. The Sun Devils were supposed to be irrelevant for the most part. No college football analysts were picking that team to do much of anything, let alone win the Big 12 and go to the College Football Playoff. And you know how they got there? On the back of a kid with a chip on his shoulder the size of Tempe, and a frame built like a fire hydrant. He can be a difference-maker.
General manager Joe Schoen has done an excellent job acquiring talent and building out the roster this offseason, but games aren't played on paper. This is still a team coming off a 3-14 record, heading into the 2025 season with the toughest strength of schedule. Nothing is ever given in this league. Which is why teams need to have players like Skattebo who'll take it.
He'll need to get his hamstring right ASAP, so he can get some preseason reps under his belt, but there's no denying the rookie could make the offense look watchable again. He was having a strong camp before the setback, so fingers crossed this is nothing more than a minor tweak.
He carried Arizona State to places they weren’t supposed to go. Now he’s on a Giants team trying to do the same. Might just be a perfect fit.