The New York Giants might finally have a legitimate core. Through three games of the Jaxson Dart era, New York has two wins, including a surprising 34-17 throttling of the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Night Football last night. Fourth-round running back Cam Skattebo was integral in the effort, turning 19 carries into 98 yards and three touchdowns. The return of last season’s starter, Tyrone Tracy Jr., didn’t matter: Tracy garnered just four carries for six yards. The Giants are Skattebo’s team now.
Is this level of production really sustainable, though? Right now, his fantasy value is at an all-time high, as he’s recorded 20 or more FPTS twice since Tracy’s injury and just made a defense that rode an elite run defense to a Super Bowl title eight months ago look weak. He ranks fourth among running backs in fantasy points by DraftKings’ scoring this season, behind only Christian McCaffrey, Jonathan Taylor, and Javonte Williams. Fantasy users might be able to get an impressive package out of Skattebo if they trade him right now.
The temptation is understandable, but I wouldn’t trade him. Top 10 running backs don’t grow on trees, and to have a bona fide RB1 from an average draft position of 95th overall is an incredible asset. Dual-threat running backs that can impact both the running and passing games are the gold standard in fantasy football, and no running back besides Skattebo is in the top three in Pro Football Focus’ running and receiving grades. By less subjective metrics, he’s also one of just four qualified players, along with Bijan Robinson, Jaylen Warren, and Taylor, to have success rates north of 50% as both a rusher and a receiver. For what it’s worth, he’s also a capable run blocker on plays that Tracy or Dart get the ball, which doesn’t show up in fantasy but helps keep him on the field more.
Last night, Dart easily had the finest game of his career. As he continues to get more comfortable with the speed of the NFL, he should only get better, which will make Skattebo even more valuable as a receiver. Dart’s continued improvement as a passer would open up lanes for the quarterback as a runner — an area in which he has already been very effective — and, in turn, that would open up read options for Skattebo. He’s taken the third-most red zone rushing attempts in the league, and as long as he keeps punching it in, his share of the red zone offense should only grow. Mike Kafka’s philosophy of getting the ball out of Dart’s hands quickly — his 1.6-second average pocket time is by far the shortest in football — should continue to drive targets to Skattebo.
Lastly, New York’s schedule is pretty friendly. Though it still has to face the Washington Commanders (PFF’s second-ranked run defense) it also has games against the Minnesota Vikings (21st), Las Vegas Raiders (23rd), New England Patriots (24th), Chicago Bears (29th), and Dallas Cowboys (32nd). Several of those games occur later in the season, during the fantasy football playoffs. By that point, fantasy managers will have an in-rhythm Skattebo at the most important time.
