If you’re someone who subscribed to the “Zero RB” theory coming into 2024, Tyrone Tracy has been a godsend this season. The former fifth-round pick burst onto the scene in Week 5 of his rookie campaign, rushing for 129 yards on 18 carries in a surprising win over the Seahawks. Since then, he’s been the No. 1 running back on the Giants’ depth chart. However, after a dud performance in Week 15, it might be getting hard to trust Tracy. Not to mention he’s now been limited in practice all week with an ankle issue — an issue that has necessitated a questionable tag.
The biggest issue with Tracy’s value is outside of his control. It’s his proximity to this underwhelming New York offense. Consider that the Giants aren’t simply dead-last in the NFL in points per game at 14.9, but they’re the lone squad averaging fewer than 17.0. They’re in their own stratosphere of bad. New York is also registering a paltry 2.3 red zone drives per contest across the past three weeks, a span of time where the Giants have cycled between Tommy DeVito and Drew Lock at QB. Lock will start this Sunday against the Falcons — not that there’s much of a difference between the duo.
Touchdown expectancy is a big deal for all running backs, but especially those who are consistently playing in negative scripts. To wit, Tracy’s produced just 37.5 rushing yards per game since the beginning of Week 12. Part of the struggle has been teams loading the box, with little fear of getting burned deep by the aforementioned Lock or DeVito. Still, overall volume has also been a reg flag. In three of those four contests, Tracy’s seen only 10 carries or fewer.
In deeper season-long formats, Tracy still likely has some appeal as a FLEX if he suits up, particularly in full-point PPR formats, as the rookie has been involved in the passing attack, even seeing a season-high 10 targets in Week 14. Yet, there’s just not a lot to get excited about here in a DFS capacity. Heck, Devin Singletary vultured a touchdown last Sunday versus the Ravens, a game where he saw his most touches (11) since Week 4. The last thing Tracy owners need is a committee. Of course, that issue would be solved if Tracy is sidelined, but even in such a scenario, it would be difficult to trust Singletary for all the same reasons his teammate has struggled recently. Unless you’re desperate, I’d avoid this backfield altogether.
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All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
