What pre-draft scouting reports said about Giants RB Tyrone Tracy

From Lance Zierlein:

Tracy was a full-time running back for only one year but had exciting flashes all over his tape. He’s a bendy, rhythmic runner who sees and traverses the interior run lanes like he built the maze. He creates additional yardage with a blend of elusiveness, power and a willful desire to maximize each run, but he will need to curb his eagerness to bounce runs wide when it’s time to finish and move to the next snap. While he’s still honing his skills as a runner, his ability to handle gadget runs and threaten linebackers out of the backfield could get him on the field early on. Tracy will be an older rookie, but his versatility and burgeoning talent as a complementary runner should open evaluators’ eyes to what he could become as a pro.

From Dane Brugler:

A two-year starter at Purdue, Tracy played a “WideBack” position in offensive coordinator Graham Harrell’s scheme, which utilized h is skills as both a running back and wide receiver. After four seasons as a receiver at Iowa, his versatility as ball carrier blossomed in West Lafayette, and in 2023 he led the Big Ten in rushing yards per carry (6.34). Displaying natural instincts with the ball in his hands, Tracy runs with the dynamic agility and elusiveness to slip tackles from different angles (21.9 percent of his carries in 2023 resulted in a 10-plus-yard run, which ranked top five in the FBS). However, his inexperience at running back shows in his sporadic tendencies when choosing run lanes. Overall, Tracy needs to improve his decision-making at the line of scrimmage, but he can create with his quick lateral cuts and contact balance — and he can stay on the field on passing downs. He is a multi-dimensional threat as a rusher, receiver and special teamer, which increases his chances of commanding an NFL roster spot.

From Damian Parson:

Tyrone Tracy Jr. spent an early portion of his career as a wide receiver before converting to running back, leading to his natural ability to make plays in the passing game. He knows how to run routes aligned as a traditional wide receiver and this will allow him to be a mismatch option for defenses in man coverage for linebackers.

For a former WR, Tracy Jr. displays above-average contact balance to absorb hits and stay upright and on his feet. He has the elusiveness and creativity in a phone booth to make defenders miss. Tracy Jr. strings together moves to evade defenders in the lane and gain yards after contact. I appreciate his ability to change levels as a runner with patience, vision, and quick, decisive cuts upfield. He processes information best on zone-based running plays. Identifying whether the edge is hard or soft to determine if he needs to bend, bounce, or bang the run upfield. Besides his receiving ability, he displays a good pass-protection skill set. His technique, scanning/vision, and desire are admirable.

Tracy Jr. has some success on counter-specific gap scheme runs, but his vision and run feel take a hit otherwise. He can stop his feet in the lane between the tackles, leading to minimal gains. He is still new to the position, leaving some growth opportunities in terms of a natural feel for space as a runner. Bouncing runs instead of staying on the run path is an area of Tracy Jr.’s game that must improve heading into the NFL.

In conclusion, Tracy Jr. projects as a zone-scheme running back with a receiving mismatch skill set. He will enter the league as a backup but has enough talent to provide starting potential.

From Derek Tate:

Tracy is a very intriguing Day 3 running back who checks a lot of boxes entering the NFL.

His ability to pass protect, create mismatches in the passing game as a receiver, and contribute in the return game already make him a candidate to make an NFL roster. Yet, combining that with his explosive athletic profile and impressive creativity as a runner could lead to a starter-level type ceiling at the next level.

Tracy is still pretty raw regarding his vision, patience, and decision-making when trying to set up his blockers in zone-rushing schemes, which could take him off some team’s boards, considering his advanced age for a running back.

Even so, Tracy’s athletic profile and other ready-made skills could lead to a team believing in his upside as an early Day 3 selection prospect.

From Greg Cosell:

Tracy was a full-time running back for only one season after spending his first five college seasons primarily as a wide receiver, the position at which he was initially recruited to play at Iowa.

While still learning the running back position, he’d likely make the transition to the next level in much the same way that Alvin Kamara and Jahmyr Gibbs are deployed by their respective teams. While Tracy isn’t at the level of either back (Kamara in his prime, Gibbs right now going into his second season with the Detroit Lions), he would profile in an offense as a complementary primary back and multidimensional receiving weapon who can line up in multiple locations within the formation and could be especially effective as a detached receiver given his background.

Given the kind of running back that Tracy is and how he will best make the transition to the next level — assuming he will be deployed that way, which I believe is the most effective means for him to play in the league — there aren’t a lot of weaknesses in his game. I could see him fitting well into an NFL offense that features the back in the passing game, especially with formation versatility.

Tracy will only get better as a runner with more experience, but he showed strong traits with his natural quickness and burst and his elusiveness making defenders miss in multiple ways. Perhaps most impressively, he showed more than functional physicality and competitive toughness to finish runs. Overall, Tracy is one of my favorite backs to watch, and I believe he is an ascending talent. I’m looking forward to seeing who drafts him and how he’s deployed.

From PFF:

Tracy is a natural playmaker with adequate athleticism (explosiveness and agility) for a zone-blocking scheme. However, he must continue to improve his ability to see blocks and space if he is to be a consistent rotational player.