Giants Add Najee Harris: Fantasy Impact on Cam Skattebo, Giants Backfield
If this didn’t have to be an article, the answer would simply be “nothing”.
Even before the New York Giants signed sixth-year back Najee Harris, rumors were flying that starter Cam Skattebo would split time with Tyrone Tracy Jr. Give me a break.
A little more than one month after the 2025 NFL Draft, I told you that Skattebo had the makings and the case to be the starter in New York.
Because Skattebo was the plan and still is the plan, New York added a proven veteran to slide into the No. 2 role.
Remind Me Who Najee Harris Is?
Before suffering eye and Achilles injuries in 2025, Najee Harris began his professional career with four consecutive years of 1,000 yards in Pittsburgh.
Harris fought off the ascending Jaylen Warren, never losing the starting job despite sharing backfield snaps, and still maxing out for more than 1,000 yards. (Warren is now fighting to save his own Steelers starting position in a battle with Rico Dowdle).
How Did We Get Here?
It started with the departure of Saquon Barkley. The move left many fumbling between Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary, and the Giants acted as if drafting the Sun Devil bruiser in the fourth round was strictly for depth.
Tracy Jr. was a receiver-turned-running back who was given the starting opportunity on a silver platter. But his elusive and athletic running style was no match for Skattebo’s physical, downhill “get-to-the-zone” approach.
Don’t forget, the Giants drafted Skattebo one year after selecting Tracy Jr.
Additionally, New York will never admit it signed Singletary to a 3-year deal strictly to be Tracy Jr.’s competition. However, it was evident by the team starting him for the first few weeks and moving on almost just as fast.
Singletary succeeded in Buffalo and Houston because of their run-first mentality and run-favorite game scripts. When he came to New York, his yardage was cut nearly in half, and not only did he start the fewest games of his career, but he also saw the fewest touches in his career: 113 and 119.
But Why Harris Now?
Skattebo, despite his backflipping, is still recovering from a gruesome leg injury. He fractured his tibia, dislocated his ankle and ruptured ligaments during the Giants’ Week 8 game.
All signs point to a full recovery, but the Giants don’t want to force who they view as their future back too soon. And if his workload needs to be eased into, why not have a proven 1,000-yard guy to pick up the weight?
The Giants gave up on Singletary and Tracy Jr. before this season; why would the team make them their only options again?
Skattebo, Harris Fantasy Expectations by the Numbers
Fantasy managers should expect a full workload from Skattebo this season. The confidence from the Giants in his playing time has been reflected in his being drafted around pick No. 37 (RB 20).
Fantasy managers should treat Skattebo as a workhorse back and believe he will be drafted in that range. His draft stock is below that of the Bengals’ Chase Brown, the Chargers’ Omarion Hampton, and the Cardinals’ Jeremiyah Love, despite all of them sharing time in a committee on their respective teams.
Workhorses are bread and butter for fantasy points, so you want your league to draft these guys ahead of Skattebo. Whether it’s injury or lack of experience knocking Skattebo down the draft board, those ranked with a higher ADP are experiencing at least one of the same conditions impacting the New York rusher.
Calling late third round a steal is something I wouldn’t do, but the asking price isn’t where it could be.
As for Harris, he has a non-ADP of 244. However, that will change now that he’s signed, so expect that to move as we get closer to the start of the regular season.
