In an effort to bolster their backfield going forward, the New York Giants are considering Auburn running back Jarquez Hunter as a draft potential.

As the NFL Draft approaches, teams across the league are working hard to evaluate the top prospects who can provide immediate impact and long-term value to their rosters. The New York Giants, in particular, have a significant need for improvement in their backfield, as they seek to build a stronger, more versatile offense that can complement quarterback Daniel Jones and a developing passing game.

One player who has begun to attract attention as a potential draft pick for the Giants is Auburn running back Jarquez Hunter. Hunter, who has displayed a unique blend of speed, power, and vision during his time with the Auburn Tigers, could be a key addition to the Giants’ backfield. His potential to contribute in multiple facets of the game has made him an intriguing prospect for a team that is looking to boost its running game and provide more balance to its offense.

In this article, we will delve into Hunter’s career at Auburn, his playing style, and what makes him such an appealing draft prospect for the New York Giants. We’ll also take a look at how he could fit into the Giants’ offense and provide insight into how he could improve their overall performance moving forward.

Jarquez Hunter’s Career at Auburn: A Brief Overview

Jarquez Hunter began his college career at Auburn as a promising running back prospect, and he quickly showcased his potential as one of the top players in the SEC. Over the course of his tenure with the Tigers, Hunter has been a dynamic and explosive force in the Auburn offense, combining both speed and power in ways that make him difficult to stop in open space.

Hunter played in his first season at Auburn in 2020, and despite being part of a crowded backfield, he still managed to make a significant impact. His ability to make defenders miss with his quick footwork, combined with his burst of speed, immediately caught the attention of fans and analysts alike. His freshman year saw him accumulate over 500 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns, and that performance set the tone for what would become a very promising college career.

In 2021, Hunter continued to build on his early success. As a sophomore, he split carries with several other talented running backs on the Auburn roster but still managed to showcase his skills. With over 700 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns that season, he established himself as one of the top backs in the SEC. His ability to break tackles, hit holes with speed, and read defenses allowed him to be a consistent threat in both the running and passing game. His versatility and ability to make plays in a variety of situations only added to his growing reputation as one of the league’s top running back prospects.

In 2022, Hunter’s play reached even greater heights, and he had one of his most productive seasons to date. His workhorse mentality and consistent performance became a cornerstone of Auburn’s offense, as he tallied more than 1,100 yards and 9 touchdowns. Throughout the season, Hunter showed his ability to break big runs, make defenders miss in the open field, and grind out tough yardage between the tackles. His ability to balance power and finesse made him a difficult matchup for opposing defenses, and he solidified his status as one of the top running backs in the nation.

Hunter’s success at Auburn was not limited to his rushing statistics. He proved to be a capable and reliable pass-catching threat out of the backfield, adding another layer to his game. This dual-threat ability — running the ball effectively and catching passes — made him a versatile player who could contribute in multiple facets of the offense.

The Traits That Make Hunter an Intriguing Prospect

There are several key traits that make Jarquez Hunter an intriguing prospect for the New York Giants, and for NFL teams in general. These traits could be particularly useful for the Giants, who are looking to add more explosiveness and versatility to their offensive unit.

1. Speed and Explosiveness

One of the most noticeable aspects of Hunter’s game is his speed. He has breakaway speed that allows him to turn short gains into long runs, often leaving defenders in his wake. Whether it’s in the open field or on designed runs to the outside, Hunter has the ability to outrun defenders and take plays the distance. This kind of speed is invaluable for a team like the Giants, who have struggled to find a consistent big-play threat out of the backfield.

Hunter’s explosiveness is also evident in his first step. He has the ability to get up to top speed quickly, which allows him to hit holes in the defense with burst. This trait makes him dangerous on outside runs and sweeps, but it also enables him to hit the hole decisively on inside runs. His speed makes him a constant threat to break off long runs, and that could be exactly what the Giants need in their offense.

2. Vision and Patience

While speed is certainly one of Hunter’s strengths, his ability to read and react to the defense is another important asset. He possesses excellent vision, which allows him to find creases in the defense and adjust his running path accordingly. Hunter is able to make quick decisions on the fly, whether it’s cutting back against the grain or following his blockers to gain additional yardage.

In addition to his vision, Hunter demonstrates good patience. He doesn’t always rush into the line of scrimmage, and instead waits for his offensive line to create running lanes. This allows him to maximize yardage and avoid running into a wall of defenders. His patience in the backfield is a trait that translates well to the NFL, where running backs need to have the ability to read defenses and wait for the right opportunity to present itself.

3. Physicality and Power

Despite being known for his speed and explosiveness, Hunter also has the strength and physicality to run between the tackles. He is not afraid to take on contact, and he shows excellent balance and power as a ball carrier. Hunter is able to shed tacklers and push through arm tackles, allowing him to gain additional yardage even when defenders are closing in.

His ability to run with power makes him an ideal candidate for goal-line situations and short-yardage scenarios. His combination of size, strength, and low center of gravity helps him gain tough yards when the offense needs them the most. The Giants could greatly benefit from having a running back who is capable of grinding out tough yards in short-yardage situations.

4. Pass-Catching Ability

Jarquez Hunter’s versatility is one of the things that sets him apart from many of his peers in this year’s draft class. He is not only a productive rusher, but he is also a solid pass-catcher out of the backfield. During his time at Auburn, Hunter proved to be a reliable target for his quarterbacks, catching passes in the flat, on swing routes, and even running wheel routes down the field.

In the modern NFL, running backs who can contribute in both the running and passing game are invaluable. Hunter’s ability to provide a reliable checkdown option in the passing game would be a huge asset for the Giants, especially as they continue to develop their passing offense. Having a running back who can make plays in the passing game would allow the Giants to keep defenses on their toes and create more opportunities for big plays.

How Hunter Could Fit with the New York Giants

The New York Giants are in a transition period as they look to build a more well-rounded offense that can complement their strong defense. While quarterback Daniel Jones has shown flashes of potential, the offense still lacks a consistent ground game to take pressure off the passing attack. That’s where Jarquez Hunter could make an immediate impact.

Complementing Saquon Barkley

One of the biggest reasons the Giants should consider drafting Jarquez Hunter is his ability to complement Saquon Barkley, the team’s dynamic but often injury-prone star running back. Barkley is undeniably talented, but injuries have slowed him down at times during his career. If Hunter were added to the mix, the Giants would have a reliable backup and a potential co-starter who can provide a change of pace when needed.

Hunter’s speed and explosiveness would add a different dimension to the Giants’ running game. While Barkley is known for his versatility and big-play ability, Hunter brings a similar skill set, allowing the Giants to rotate their backs and keep defenses guessing. Hunter could serve as a dynamic, change-of-pace back who could step in for Barkley and provide explosive plays when the team needs them most.

Improving the Giants’ Play-Action and Screen Game

With Hunter’s ability to catch passes out of the backfield, he could become a key part of the Giants’ play-action and screen game. New York has struggled at times to generate big plays in these areas, but Hunter’s presence would allow the team to run more effective play-action passes and screens, keeping defenses off balance. This would not only help the Giants’ passing game but also create more space for Barkley and other offensive players to make plays.

Short-Yardage and Goal-Line Situations

Another area where Hunter could make an immediate impact is in short-yardage and goal-line situations. While Barkley is more than capable of picking up tough yards, having a back like Hunter, who runs with power and vision, would give the Giants another option when they need to gain tough yards near the end zone or in short-yardage situations.

Hunter’s ability to fight for extra yardage after contact and his ability to shed tacklers would make him a valuable weapon when the Giants need to convert on critical plays. His size and strength would also help the Giants in goal-line situations, where they can rotate backs to wear down opposing defenses.

A Perfect Fit for the Giants

Jarquez Hunter has all the tools to be an excellent addition to the New York Giants’ offense. His speed, explosiveness, vision, and ability to contribute in both the running and passing games make him an intriguing prospect who could make an immediate impact in the NFL. Whether as a complement to Saquon Barkley, a dynamic playmaker in the screen game, or a power runner in short-yardage situations, Hunter has the potential to fill multiple roles for the Giants.

If New York decides to draft Jarquez Hunter, they would be adding a versatile and talented running back who could help take their offense to the next level. With a well-rounded skill set and a proven track record of success at Auburn, Hunter is a prospect worth keeping an eye on as the draft draws near.