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The New York Giants could use the 2013 NFL Draft to add some competition to drive Da’Rel Scott and Ryan Torain at the back end of the running back stable. There is a very good chance that the Giants could use a late-round pick to add depth at the position. There is also the fact that Andre Brown will be an unrestricted free agent after this season and could actually price himself out of the Giants’ future plans. The Giants would be wise to add a running back in the later rounds who could at least contribute in a year or two. One prospect would be Arkansas running back Knile Davis.
Davis is an intriguing prospect. He won’t be a star at the next level, but he could be a solid contributor who flourishes in the passing game. Davis’ numbers won’t jump out at you but he can be a very good asset to a team on third down. He had 32 career catches for 297 yards and is a solid blocker in pass protection.
Davis is not afraid to get physical in the passing game, whether it is blocking or running routes into the flat or over the middle. He is far from a dynamic runner but could be a solid contributor in short-yardage situations using his size, 5-11, 227 pounds, to gain an advantage.
There are questions surrounding his durability especially with his ankle that cost him the entire 2011 season after he fractured it in a preseason scrimmage. He also had a hamstring injury that cost him two games last season. Ball security is also an issue. He had eight fumbles in in 123 touches last year. We all know how Tom Coughlin feels about fumbling, but we also know that he has a habit of getting players to learn to hold onto the football.
He doesn’t have elite speed but he makes up for that with very good open-field vision. He can use that to avoid tacklers but he won’t run away from defenders. He can, however, be a solid addition to an offense, especially a Giants team that can use help in pass protection from their running backs and someone who can catch the ball out of the backfield. Davis is a seventh round pick at best but he could turn into a value at that pick, especially if he gets over his fumble problems.
