It's no secret that legendary head coach John Harbaugh will have his hands full trying to bring the New York Giants back to relevance. Successfully doing so starts with fielding a competitive roster, making free agency a critical part of the formula.
The Giants have a ways to go in terms of assembling a capable squad, with several needs on both sides of the ball. Yet, recent intel from the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis suggests they're strangely focused on bolstering one of the club's strengths: running back.
NBC Sports' Matthew Berry had the same reaction Big Blue Nation did upon learning the Giants are among those eyeing standout tailback Kenneth Walker III.
"I think, obviously, there's going to be a lot of interest in [Walker's] services, and a sleeper team that I heard, which I was just like, 'Really?' The New York Football Giants," Berry said (h/t Rotoworld Football).
Giants being named 'sleeper' for RB Kenneth Walker III in free agency leaves fans puzzled
Of course, we all just saw Walker be a driving force behind the Seattle Seahawks' title run en route to Super Bowl LX MVP honors. He established himself as a winning player who can rise to the occasion. However, lest we forget, the Giants already boast one of the better ground games in the league; why pay him?
Walker, 25, will almost certainly cash in on his heroic efforts with the Seahawks. He figures to secure around $10 million annually, and perhaps even more. That should be too rich for a cap-strapped, talent-deficient Giants squad, especially with a dynamic young backfield duo already in place.
Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy Jr. have each spread their wings when given a chance and worked well in tandem when healthy together. They've proven capable of making life easier for quarterback Jaxson Dart, which the numbers bear out. Here's where the Giants ranked in some key rushing metrics from Week 4 of the 2025 campaign on (Dart's first start):
- Fourth in rushing yards per game (136.2)
- Fourth in rushing touchdowns (20)
- Second in rushing first downs (123)
- 10th in success rate (51.4 percent)
- Eighth in yards after contact on carries (839)
Note: Stats courtesy of Fantasy Points' data suite ($).
Skattebo and Dart have quickly become inseparable fan favorites and core building blocks in New York. Despite their emergence, Tracy has quietly turned in 1,000-plus yards from scrimmage in consecutive seasons as a 2024 fifth-round pick. With that in mind, the idea of investing heavily in Walker should leave folks in New York totally flabbergasted.
There are valid concerns regarding Skattebo's status to start the upcoming year after suffering a fibula fracture as a rookie. Yet, he's eyeing a training camp return, and Tracy has shown the ability to handle lead-back duties when called upon. Signing Walker would be the ultimate vote of no-confidence in their short- and long-term outlooks.
For what it's worth, Berry's comments align with what ESPN's Jordan Raanan has heard in Indy. The Giants are reportedly "seriously looking at some of the top running backs," via the draft or the open market, like Walker. New York ostensibly has a "clear focus on becoming a more physical, run-heavy team."