Cam Skattebo has been to New York only once, when he met with the Giants organization before the NFL draft. He’ll be making a second trip soon, and this time won’t be a quick visit.
The dynamic and passionate running back from Arizona State was selected by the New York Giants in the fourth round (105th overall pick) of the NFL Draft, which ended April 26. Next up for him is the rookie minicamp May 9-10 at Quest Diagnostics Training Center, the organization’s practice facility in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Organized Team Activities (OTAs) begin on May 27.
Skattebo was part of a seven-member draft class that drew an A grade in all evaluations.
Running back was a position of need for the Giants heading into the draft. In 2024, they averaged only 104.9 rushing yards per game to rank 23rd out of 32 teams. The team averaged 294.8 total yards, better than only the Patriots and Bears.
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Tyrone Tracy was the team’s leading rusher with 839 yards and five touchdowns on 192 carries over 17 games (49.3 ypg).
Pro Football Focus say Skattebo pick had “strong value”
It writes: “Skattebo was RB3 and the No. 51 overall player on the PFF Big Board, making this a strong value pick for the Giants at the top of the fourth round. He doesn’t have elite speed, but he excels in many areas that translate well to the NFL. Skattebo ranked above the 85th percentile in PFF rushing grade in both gap and zone schemes in 2024 and was the only running back besides Ashton Jeanty to force more than 100 missed tackles on the ground last season.”
CBS Sports calls Skattebo “gritty”
Chris Trapasso writes: “Think David Montgomery 2.0. Squatty, tremendous lateral elusiveness. Contact balance galore. Runs with spectacular vision between the tackles. Clearly lacks speed. Emerged as a quality pass-catcher, too. Gritty yet athletic runner who will get more than what’s blocked for him on a routine basis. Ideal pairing with the explosive Tyrone Tracy Jr.”
Bleacher Report says Skattebo is a “bulldozer”
Brent Sobleski writes: “Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo is the perfect complement to what the New York Giants already have in their backfield…Skattebo gives them a bulldozer in the backfield. Be prepared for Skattebo to make regular appearances on Angry Runs. The first-team All-American plays with a level of power and passion that can’t be denied. He put the Sun Devils on his shoulders and led them to a College Football Playoff appearance this past season. But Skattebo isn’t simply the thunder to someone else’s lightning as part of a running back rotation. The 5’9½”, 219-pound back is also a viable and natural receiver out of the backfield, with 69 receptions over the last two seasons. Last season, he created 571 yards after the catch.”
The Athletic calls Skattebo a “fun pick”
Nick Baumgardner: “I’m not sure there’s another player in this draft who used the College Football Playoff to help his stock the way Cam Skattebo did with Arizona State. A unique athlete who lacks speed, but plays with terrific explosion and balance – it’s hard to compare him to anyone else in the NFL right now but the Giants absolutely got a high-level competitor who will be a factor in a running back rotation right away. New York’s linebackers are going to hate dealing with this guy in training camp. Fun pick.”
ESPN compares Skattebo to Christian McCaffrey
Steve Muench: “Skattebo is the first FBS player since Christian McCaffrey in 2015 to have at least 1,500 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in a single season. He has outstanding core strength and excellent balance — he can break multiple tackles over the course of one run. Skattebo runs behind his pads, drives his legs and pushes the pile on goal line or short-yardage carries. He catches the ball well and cuts crisply in his routes, which makes him that much harder to tackle in open space.”
