Paul Perkins an absolute steal by the New York Giants
By Ryan Disdier
In the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, the New York Giants netted an absolute steal in UCLA running back Paul Perkins.
The New York Giants haven’t had a dynamic, hard-nosed running back since Ahmad Bradshaw left town following the 2012 season. The team hasn’t had an elite, every-down back since Tiki Barber retired. New York thought it had a game-changing back in David Wilson, but he was forced to retire early.
Since Wilson’s retirement, the Giants have had a spell of mediocrity at the running back position. The team brought Rashad Jennings in to be a complementary, time-splitting back, but he ended up starting because of Wilson’s injury. Last year, the team opted for a committee-style approach, which was met with vehement hate from the fan base.
More from New York Giants
- New York Giants deliberately disrespecting Saquon Barkley at this point
- 2023 NFL Season: Saquon Barkley signs silly deal with Giants
- New York Giants make big move with star RB disgruntled
- NFL: Which Giant deserved a contract extension – Barkley or Jones?
- 5 NFL teams that will definitely disappoint fans in 2023
In an attempt to bolster the running back group, the Giants selected UCLA’s Paul Perkins in the fifth round of the draft. While fifth-round players don’t always transcend a team, taking Perkins was a great move.
At first glance, people may assume Perkins will be a non-factor during his first year. However, The former UCLA Bruin has a serious chance to compete and contribute in a complementary role as a rookie, and he has the talent to become a starting running back for the Giants in the future.
“Getting Perkins in the fifth round is a spectacular bargain. It’s like going to the $5 DVD bin at Walgreens and seeing The Shawshank Redemption.“
Any way you look at it, Perkins is already the most complete running back on the Giants roster. He has the elusiveness Jennings lacks, the decisiveness Vereen lacks, the vision Andre Williams lacks and the consistency Orleans Darkwa lacks. Watching his film is abundantly entertaining, as he has a penchant for turning nothing into something.
In that sense, the lofty comparisons to Giants’ all-time leading rusher Tiki Barber are spot-on. Giants fans likely remember Barber’s uncanny ability to shake defenders and put together long runs when it looked like he was bottled up at the line of scrimmage.
Related Story: 30 greatest Giants of all-time
Perkins’ jump-cut ability in the open field is astounding, especially his one-cut ability. He knows exactly when to plant and jump, which is an underrated trait in backs. My high school coach always stressed making moves before the “strike zone,” or, in his words, any time between three and one yard before contact. Perkins does that with ease.
Even when linebackers and corners have the responsibility to contain runs from breaking outside, Perkins’ agility lets him bounce plays.
That special ability can sometimes lead to video-game like runs, as was the case against Stanford.
In the open field, Perkins has the quickness and speed to make defenders miss. And while he’s not the biggest back in the league, he’s compact enough that he has the ability to ping-pong himself off arm-tackles. He’s incredibly elusive, which will likely lead to the Giants trying to get the ball in his hands on sweeps and outside runs often.
I think Perkins’ best asset, however, is his ability to combine his decision-making with his jump-cut skills. When a play isn’t developing the way it should, Perkins knows when to bounce the run outside, or try to create something on his own. He doesn’t just cut for cut’s sake; when he breaks into the second and third levels of the defense, he knows exactly when to cut a run inside or outside.
That’s literally such an underrated trait for backs to have, but it sets elite guys apart from career backups. As a runner, Perkins is a slasher, in the same vein point guards like John Wall and Russell Westbrook penetrate defenses on the hardwood.
Perkins can also contribute in the pass game, as he has a lot of ability as a receiver. Out of the backfield, Perkins has the ability to lose linebackers who try to stay with him. Screens and flares are where he’ll likely see most of his work in the NFL. His soft hands make him a contributor on passing downs, as does his ability to stay in the backfield with the quarterback and offer his body for pass blocking.
The only really big thing standing in Perkins’ way is his size. At 5-10, 208 lbs., he’s not exactly a power back. But guys like Devonta Freeman (5-8, 206), DeAngelo Williams (5-9, 207), Giovani Bernard (5-9, 209) and LeSean McCoy (5-10, 208) have found success in the NFL.
Look, I for one am not prepared to label Perkins the next Tiki Barber, but I do understand where the comparisons are coming from.
The Perkins pick has been lauded by experts as a tremendous value pick. Here’s what ESPN’s Dan Graziano had to say about the addition of Perkins.
"“The Giants were saying Saturday that Perkins is a ‘three-down back,’ and extolling his willingness and ability in pass protection. This establishes him as a threat to everyone, because while the Giants did go committee at the position last year, they would prefer to have one back who could handle all of the roles week to week. One reason the Giants really like Perkins is that he has a lightning-quick initial cut that should play well in Ben McAdoo’s offense and sets him apart to a certain extent from anyone else in the room.”"
Like Graziano, Steve Palazzolo of Pro Football Focus had positive things to say about the pick, also noting Perkins led all backs in the draft class in terms of PFF’s elusiveness rating. Palazzolo even went as far as calling the move ‘larceny’ on the part of Jerry Reese and the Giants. In fact, a Philadelphia — yes, a real, authentic Philadelphia source — outlet even praised the pick, as Jimmy Kempski of PhillyVoice.com said he has ‘no idea’ how Perkins lasted as long as he did.
Taking Perkins in the fifth round of the draft isn’t just a steal, it’s highway robbery. After all, if Perkins were two inches taller and 15 lbs. heavier, he likely would’ve went in the first round.
The aforementioned Reese shared his opinions on Perkins to Giants.com, following the team’s day three selections.
“All-around player,” Reese said. “He can run it, he can catch it, he can block. He can play on all the four teams. He’s a solid football player. People say he doesn’t have home-run speed, but I saw him on an 82-yard touchdown against Colorado. Like him a lot, three-down player.”
First-year head coach Ben McAdoo echoed Reese’s words.
“He’s a complete back. He can carry it, protect the quarterback and protect the ball. He’s good in the pass game,” McAdoo said. “The two most important things for a running back, number one: protect the ball. Number two: protect the quarterback. He certainly fits that role.”
Hearing the GM and head coach praise Perkins as a complete back leads one to believe they earnestly think Perkins can eventually emerge into an every-down player for them down the road.
Getting Perkins in the fifth round is a spectacular bargain. It’s like going to the $5 DVD bin at Walgreens and seeing The Shawshank Redemption.
More nfl spin zone: New York Giants: Grading the 2016 rookie class
Will Perkins be the starter in his first year? No, that would shock me. However, I do think Perkins’ blend of ability will help him crack the starting rotation. Remember, the Giants still don’t have a true lead back, so the committee is likely to return in 2016. I wouldn’t be shocked to see him work his way into the offense in some capacity, even early on. That claim is doubly true if Jennings, or really any back, ends up getting hurt.
Like Barber, who didn’t even sniff 800 yards until his fourth season, Perkins will likely take time to develop. However, he has a litany of talents to offer the team, and Giants fans should get excited about having him.