Devin Singletary is about to live every toddler’s dream.
After five years in shared backfields with the likes of Frank Gore, Zack Moss, James Cook and Dameon Pierce, the days of Singletary being told to share (carries) may be over now that he’s with the Giants.
At least at the start of the season — which begins Sunday against the Vikings — and for as long as it takes young backups Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Eric Gray to acclimate.
“You can use him on all three downs,” head coach Brian Daboll said. “So whether it’s running inside [or] “Outside, pass protection, route running, you don’t have to replace him multiple times in terms of, ‘This guy has this specific play, this other running back has this specific play.’ He’s a versatile back for us.”
This is new.
Singletary, 27, didn’t reach 200 carries in his four seasons with the Bills — including three under Daboll as offensive coordinator — and averaged 204 touches when receptions were added.
He had career-highs of 216 carries and 246 touchdowns last season while with the Texans after snatching the starting job from Pierce.
By comparison, Singletary’s predecessor, Saquon Barkley, averaged 271 carries and 320 touches per season under Daboll.
He’s only had fewer than 217 carries and 269 touches once in five full seasons with the Giants (not including his ACL tear in Week 2 of 2020).
“The season will kind of dictate how we run the ball,” running backs coach Joel Thomas said of Singletary’s workload. “Every game is a different story, but [Singletary] only proved that he could carry part of the burden.
Nicknamed “Motor,” the 5-foot-7, 203-pound Singletary may not look like a cash cow, but his durability resume includes not missing a game in the past four seasons.
This is a long-awaited opportunity to join the ranks of the all-time fullbacks.
“That’s what we work for, so I’m excited for this year,” Singletary said. “You see around the league, there’s still a few guys doing it. That’s the name of the game when you’re a back. You want to be able to do everything.”
General manager Joe Schoen believes teams need multiple starting-caliber running backs because of the wear and tear associated with the position.
It’s one reason Barkley and the Giants couldn’t fill a small gap in contract negotiations before he joined the Eagles and Singletary was a valuable replacement on a three-year, $16.5 million deal.
The key to playing on third down is pass protection. It’s an area that Barkley has had to strengthen over time, and one that rookie Tracy — who was still a Big Ten receiver just two years ago — and Gray, who had just 17 carries as a rookie last season, must develop to get a bigger piece of the pie.
“Motor did a great job for us going downhill,” left tackle Andrew Thomas said. “He makes really good cuts in the hole. He also does a great job for us with pass protection. It goes unnoticed sometimes.”
The Giants showed confidence in Singletary — who was Daboll’s choice over fellow free agent D’Andre Swift, as seen on “Hard Knocks” — by not pairing him with another veteran.
Matt Breida, who has close ties to Daboll and was Barkley’s primary backup, remains unsigned.
“My [mentality] “That’s always set me apart from a lot of people,” Singletary said. “That’s just the way I do things, as a dog. I’m going to give it everything I’ve got. And guys can feed off that energy.”
Singletary averaged 4.5 yards per carry and had three of his five career 100-yard rushing games after Week 6 of last season.
“I want to peak toward the end, and I’ve always been that way,” Singletary said. “That’s when my opportunities have always presented themselves.”
Not this year. Opportunities are coming faster than ever.
