Giants' RB sensation would be a Cowboy if they hadn't drafted him
By Matt Sidney
New York Giants rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. has been one of the few bright spots in a dismal 2024 season for Big Blue.
With 619 rushing yards on 125 carries (5.0 YPC) and four touchdowns, Tracy has emerged as a key piece of the Giants' offense. But as fate would have it, Tracy could have easily been suiting up for the Dallas Cowboys if the Giants hadn’t snagged him five picks earlier in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy didn’t hide his admiration for Tracy after the Giants' Thanksgiving loss to Dallas. Postgame, McCarthy was caught on camera speaking to the rookie, telling him, "You've got a bright future. Keep rolling." The exchange was more than just a polite postgame compliment—McCarthy’s genuine excitement was evident.
A few things here about Mike McCarthy’s interaction with Giants RB Tyrone Tracy:
— Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) December 3, 2024
1) Tracy could have been the pick at No. 174 (Rd 5) if the Giants didn’t select him 5 spots earlier
2) If McCarthy finds his way to the Giants as the next HC, Tracy will be his guy#DallasCowboys https://t.co/PiPxG2DavE pic.twitter.com/DDjYh2mt5n
As it turns out, McCarthy’s connection to Tracy Jr. runs deeper than most realize. McCarthy spent a year at Fort Hays State University in 1987-88 with Tracy’s father, Tyrone Tracy Sr., and the two share a bond that likely played a role in Dallas eyeing the younger Tracy during the draft process.
The moment was genuinely heartfelt, tugging hard at the heartstrings. Seeing McCarthy’s excitement while speaking with Tracy Jr. was a special scene. It was clear McCarthy knew exactly who Tracy was—he even mentioned that Tracy's dad grew up in Indianapolis and that Tracy attended Purdue, which had prompted McCarthy to look up the intriguing prospect.
It's clear McCarthy was hoping he'd fall to the Cowboys in the draft. The Giants picked up Tracy with the 166th pick, while Big D was set to select 174th.
The Dallas Cowboys could desperately use a running back like Tyrone Tracy Jr
Dallas, whose backfield has struggled to find consistency, could have desperately used Tracy’s production.
The Cowboys' lead rusher, Rico Dowdle, has managed 600 yards on 134 carries this season, averaging 4.5 yards per carry with a single touchdown. Behind him, Ezekiel Elliott and Hunter Luepke have been largely ineffective, and the team has yet to find the explosiveness it sorely needs in the run game.
Instead, Tracy has become the Giants’ most reliable weapon on offense. His knack for breaking tackles and creating yardage after contact has been a revelation for a team that desperately needed playmakers after the departure of Saquon Barkley. Tracy has also proven to be a solid receiver out of the backfield, logging 24 receptions for 178 yards.
If the Giants hadn’t prioritized Tracy, he likely would have been in a Cowboys uniform, where McCarthy might have been building an offense around him rather than singing his praises from the other sideline. Fortunately, he's with the Giants, doing his best to replace the irreplaceable shoes of Saquon Barkley. Regardless, what an incredibly cool moment for Tracy Jr and McCarthy.
More New York Giants news and analysis
feed