It was objectively surprising that running back Cam Skattebo fell into the New York Giants’ lap during the 2025 NFL Draft. The G-Men selected the former Arizona State standout in the fourth round, and he could potentially make an instant impact on New York’s rushing attack.
Skattebo had an outstanding collegiate career with the Sun Devils, and last season was no exception. The 23-year-old rushed for 1,711 yards and 21 touchdowns, also racking up 605 receiving yards—career highs across the board. Now, with Tyrone Tracy Jr. already in the mix, Skattebo could help Giants fans officially move on from Saquon Barkley’s historic first year with the Philadelphia Eagles—which ended in a Super Bowl win.
Despite this draft class featuring several prolific offensive talents taken earlier, could Skattebo be a legitimate contender for one of the NFL’s biggest rookie honors?
Skattebo viewed as a fair bet to win OROY
Big Blue fans know exactly what it looks like when a rookie running back takes the league by storm. Back in 2018, Barkley exploded onto the scene with 2,028 scrimmage yards, 15 total touchdowns, and the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award—turning a bad team into must-watch TV. Barkley was electric, posting league-best numbers in broken tackles and big plays, and became the face of the franchise overnight.
Fast-forward to 2025, and the idea of Skattebo even entering that same conversation is enough to get people talking. If he can carve out a serious role in Brian Daboll’s offense, he won’t just help the Giants win—he could finally give fans a new name to rally behind and start moving on from the Barkley era for good.
In an article for Pro Football Focus, Dalton Wasserman argued that Skattebo has an underrated shot at winning Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2025.
"Skattebo may have been a fourth-round selection due to his below-average 40-yard dash time, but he is fully capable of handling a heavy workload. His 294 carries and 94.6 PFF rushing grade in 2024 both ranked second in the FBS, behind Ashton Jeanty," Wasserman wrote. "He’s also an underrated receiver who ranked among the top eight running backs in receptions and PFF receiving grade. There is a world where Skattebo passes Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary on New York’s depth chart soon, making this a good longshot bet.
Even in a draft class that included names like Cam Ward, Travis Hunter, Ashton Jeanty, and Tyler Warren, Skattebo appears to have a real shot at making his case for the award.
It remains to be seen whether Daboll will give Skattebo significant offensive reps in Year 1—especially after Tracy’s emergence last season—but based on his college production, Skattebo is a name to watch. If given the opportunity, he could make some serious noise in his rookie campaign.