Eric Gray had the look of a reliable backfield weapon when he left Oklahoma. He was coming off a monster senior year with 1,366 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, and he brought a polished pass-catching element that added to his appeal. With solid production across four college seasons at both Tennessee and Oklahoma, Gray felt like a low-risk, high-floor option heading into the 2023 NFL Draft.
The New York Giants agreed. They scooped him up in the fifth round with pick No. 172, envisioning him as a complementary piece behind Saquon Barkley. He flashed enough versatility in college to warrant a rotational role, and his receiving ability offered a change-of-pace option from the more physical runners already on the roster.
Since then, things haven’t exactly... clicked. Gray has struggled to carve out meaningful touches in a backfield that’s churned through several backs the last two seasons. And now, with a new draft class in town, his place in the pecking order might be slipping even further.
Eric Gray facing uphill battle for roster spot in crowded Giants backfield
In two NFL seasons, Gray has appeared in 30 games but has just 79 rushing yards on 31 carries. His yards-per-carry sits at 2.5, and he has yet to find the end zone. As a receiver, he’s pulled in 16 catches for 104 yards. There’s been no breakout moment, no real glimpses, and no consistent role to hang onto.
After a low-impact rookie year, Gray faded even further in 2024. Despite staying active all season, he finished with just 14 rushing attempts. His time on special teams was equally underwhelming, with ball security issues forcing a change at returner duties late in the year. For a player needing to flash versatility, those added struggles didn’t help.
Then came April’s draft. The Giants used a fourth-round pick on Cam Skattebo, an energetic and physical back out of Arizona State with a downhill style and strong early camp buzz. Skattebo joins a backfield that already includes Devin Singletary, Tyrone Tracy Jr., and Gray all fighting for roster spots. That’s a crowded room, and Gray hasn’t done enough to stand out.
Gray still has time to earn his keep in training camp, but his role is far from secure. With younger and more dynamic talent pushing behind him, the margin for error has disappeared. The G-Men originally liked what he showed at Oklahoma, but two years into his NFL career, he’s still waiting to show it in New York.
He’ll get his shot in camp, but the writing’s on the wall. Big Blue has retooled the position twice since drafting Gray, and patience isn’t exactly part of this year's formula. A once-promising Oklahoma product could soon find himself looking for a fresh start elsewhere.