Metlife Stadium—The NY Giants started their day by picking Oklahoma shifty running back Eric Gray at No. 172 in the fifth round.
Last year Gray rushed for 1,366 yards — averaging 6.4 yards per carry — with 11 touchdowns.
He also caught 33 passes for 229 yards out of the backfield for the Sooners.
At 5-foot-9 and 207 pounds, Gray is built low to the ground and have excellent vision who can cut on dime downfield.
All of scouts raves about his excellent hands and could develop into a three-down back and he wouldn’t be a liability in pass protection scenarios.
He does not have blazing speed but he constantly moving the chains forward for the offense.
Gray is 23, and was a second-team All-Big 12 selection as a senior, is a nifty runner who often makes defenders miss in open space, he is also an accomplished route-runner and pass catcher out of the backfield.
He will be the G-Men rotation that also includes Matt Breida, Gary Brightwell, and Jashaun Corbin.
“Being able to, one, just having those natural hands to be able to catch and being able to route run. Me personally, I have a good feel for knowing coverages coming out of the backfield, knowing if it’s man or zone or if I need to break it this way, setting crisp routes, getting to my depth. I would say I’ve been blessed to be a pretty good route runner out of the backfield.” Eric Gray said.
Since Saquon Barkley is unhappy with his current contract situation and hasn’t signed his franchise tag offer, Barkley is keeping away from the Giants’ facility. Gray should get more reps during his absence.
