Imagining a world where rookie running back Cam Skattebo isn’t in a New York Giants uniform is a world I don’t want to live in. When he’s not moonlighting as the Tasmanian Devil, the 23-year-old is injecting life into an offense that hasn’t felt this electric in years.
Related: Cam Skattebo's childhood telephone pole drills should've told us everything
The fifth-place Heisman finisher was somehow still on the board when the G-Men were on the clock with the 105th pick of the 2025 Draft. Taking him was the easiest decision they made all weekend. But they almost didn’t get the chance. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Wednesday that Skatt was someone he had his eye on, hoping to pair him with Christian McCaffrey, which, in hindsight, would have been scary.
When asked if he had any conversations with the front office about drafting the Arizona State standout, Shanahan made it painfully clear he was all in on the human-sized fire hydrant:
"Yes, we did and we loved him. He was awesome."Kyle Shanahan
Well, all I can really say is... stinks to stink, Niners.
49ers HC Kyle Shanahan was close to stealing Cam Skattebo away from Giants in 2025 Draft
It's too bad for the Bay Area — they really missed out on something special. Skattebo had gotten off to an unreal start, racking up 410 rushing yards and five touchdowns, plus 207 receiving yards and two more scores through the air.
Unfortunately, his impressive rookie campaign came to a screeching halt after suffering a season-ending ankle injury in Week 8 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Skattebo joined star receiver Malik Nabers on the ‘see you in 2026’ list, putting serious strain on the offense. Still, the fan-favorite is exactly where he belongs — East Rutherford is home, even if a few other teams had different ideas.
Turns out, it wasn’t just Shanahan who had visions of Skatt in red and gold...
The former Sun Devil also thought San Francisco could be home, fully expecting the 49ers to take him in the third round. Appearing on the St. Brown Brothers Podcast with Equanimeous and Amon-Ra, No. 44 admitted he thought he was Bay-bound:
"I actually thought I was going to end up going to San Francisco with that 100th pick."
But thank goodness they didn't. They chose cornerback Upton Stout out of Western Kentucky instead.
Considering how he burst onto the scene, it’s fair to assume the other 31 teams are kicking themselves for passing on him — and it sure sounds like Shanahan is. Unfortunately, Skattebo won’t get the chance to pour salt in the wound this Sunday when the Giants host the Niners at MetLife Stadium in Week 9.
But there should be plenty of time for him to keep proving everyone wrong once he’s back healthy.