The Giants Draft RB Eric Gray out of Oklahoma with 172nd Pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The New York Giants are optimistic that they’ve found an up-and-coming player in Eric Gray and hope he can be a key contributor to their offense for the next few seasons.
Gray’s College Career and Strengths
Gray showed consistent production early in his Oklahoma career and had an outstanding 2022 season, excelling as both a ball carrier and a pass catcher. He has the size, skill, and versatility to be a productive rotational back in the NFL, with the potential to develop into a starter.
While Gray is a competitive runner, he doesn’t consistently excel in power and contact balance. He also struggles in pass protection, where his processing and anchoring skills are inconsistent. His narrow build raises concerns about his ability to improve in physicality and contact balance. Although he’s a good athlete, he lacks the top-end speed to be considered a true home-run hitter.
Areas for Improvement and NFL Fit
The Giants aimed to bolster their depth at the running back position and accomplished this by selecting Eric Gray in the fifth round. General Manager Joe Schoen informed Saquon Barkley before the draft that they planned to take a running back, ensuring Barkley wouldn’t be caught off guard by the decision.
A player taken with the 172nd overall pick isn’t expected to challenge Barkley, who has yet to sign his $10.1 million franchise tender, as he hopes to secure a long-term deal later this summer.
Conclusions
For the Giants, Gray has the potential to step in as a solid No. 2 running back immediately, with the opportunity to develop into a starting role. His physicality, explosiveness, and pass-catching abilities will be valuable assets to the team benefit our team in hopes for a strong 2023 Draft Class. Gray would thrive in a downhill system that maximizes his strengths between the tackles.
