The New York Giants are confident in Paul Perkins as a lead running back heading into the 2017 season.
When the Giants didn't add a veteran in free agency or draft a back high in last month's draft it was a clear signal of New York's confident in the second-year player.
"Well, what he's shown is ... in our system you have to have three phases: You have to be able to run the ball. He was an effective runner last year," running backs coach Craig Johnson said. "You have to be able to catch the ball. He did a good job in that. And you have to be able to block people, because they are going to try you out. He probably improved the most in that situation. Guys were going to test him out to see if they were going to get to the quarterback. He held up very good in protection and he's continuing to do that.
"If you can do that, that allows you to be a guy that it's possible to stay on the field all three downs."
Behind Perkins, the Giants have Shane Vereen, Wayne Gallman, Orleans Darkwa and Shaun Draughn.
Via Kevin Patra/NFL