The Giants didn't select a running back in this year's NFL Draft, but they did add Akeem Hunt as a free agent out of Purdue.
He rushed for more than 2,000 yards in his career as a Boilermaker and caught 100 passes out of the backfield. His real contribution was on special teams where he returned 74 kickoffs, and could be a good safety net to Dwayne Harris, who is expected to take on the majority of those duties.
The Giants already know three running backs that will be on the roster, barring anything shocking: Rashad Jennings, Shane Vereen and Andre Williams. Finding room for a fourth will be very difficult unless that player can be a significant contributor on special teams and bring something else to the roster that those three can't. Hunt will try to do that, as will Orleans Darkwa, who the Giants picked up halfway through last season. The Giants also signed one of their tryouts after rookie minicamp, Kenneth Harper, a 233-pound thumper out of Temple, where he rushed for more than 1,000 yards.
The competition will be fierce as one of those youngsters will try to stand out and earn a roster spot.
