Who Should I Start? Jaleel McLaughlin or Cam Skattebo

Monday, January 13, 10:50 AM

Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin was a complete non-factor in the team's 31-7 blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday on wild-card weekend. Like most of the season, Denver's backfield was stuck in the mud and couldn't get anything going to control the game, with rookie quarterback Bo Nix leading the team with 43 rushing yards on four carries. McLaughlin, who had been the leader of a committee backfield late in the season, had only two rushing attempts for minus-two yards while catching his only target for no gain. It was a dismal end to the 24-year-old's second season in the NFL. He finished with 113 carries for 496 yards (4.4 yards per carry) and only one rushing touchdown in 16 regular-season games while adding 24 catches for 76 yards and two more TDs through the air. Denver will surely look to upgrade their backfield in the offseason to give more help to Nix in 2025.

Thursday, May 22, 10:11 PM

The Athletic's Charlotte Carroll wonders if New York Giants rookie running back Cam Skattebo can usurp Tyrone Tracy Jr. for the RB1 job in 2025. It's possible, but Carroll goes on to say that it's more realistic that Skattebo, the team's fourth-rounder out of Arizona State this year, jumps Devin Singletary for the RB2 role to begin his rookie season. Skattebo offers a more physical complement to Tracy's speed and is already a fan favorite in the Big Apple because of his physicality and underdog mentality. For now, Carroll is giving the slight edge to the veteran Singletary well before training camp, but it's very possible that Singletary falls further down the depth chart after losing the starting gig to Tracy in 2024. Skattebo makes up for his lack of speed with plenty of power and explosiveness. Don't be surprised if he becomes New York's primary pass-catching back early on in 2025.