Giants' Cam Skattebo wants to be known for making plays in passing game, too
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - MAY 09: Cam Skattebo #44 of the New York Giants during rookie minicamp at NY Giants Quest Diagnostics Training Center on May 09, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) Credit: Getty Images/Adam Hunger
Cam Skattebo is well aware that physical play is his calling. But the Giants’ fourth-round draft pick made it clear at rookie minicamp that hitting somebody isn’t his only thrill.
Scoring touchdowns is, too.
Combine both of those qualities and you get a running back who takes delight in finishing runs beyond just dishing out contact.
“It feels good when you run somebody over and then get in the end zone,” Skattebo said on Friday. “I mean it feels good when you get in the end zone, but imagine running someone over and then running another person over and then getting in the end zone. It’s that much better.”
But the Arizona State product also wants to remind people that he is a fine pass receiver, too. He had 605 receiving yards and caught three touchdown passes last season.
During Saturday’s practice to conclude minicamp, Skattebo caught passes from Jaxson Dart during some early drills before working with fellow rookies Abdul Carter and Thomas Fidone on punt protection.
As much as the Giants like Skattebo’s toughness, they also appreciate his versatility, which is similar to fellow running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. Skattebo takes pride in his hands because it was part of his football education from his father, Leo Sr., who coached him in youth football.
“My dad was a 6-5, 210-pound receiver in high school, so catching the ball was big for him,” Skattebo said. “As I grew up, he put an emphasis on catching the ball. It’s been natural throughout my life and I give credit to my dad, who had really good hands in high school.”
It’s just another way Skattebo hopes to make an impact on the Giants.
Because Dart was the only rookie to participate in 7-on-7 drills in minicamp, Skattebo sometimes mimicked what he would do lining up next to Dart.
For coach Brian Daboll, it was a matter of Skattebo trying to steal reps; there’s only so much that can be done in two days of practice. But it earned praise for how the back sees the game and how he wants to do more than just rely on physicality.
“Some people like to go through the mechanics of what he would be doing 10 yards behind him,” Daboll said. “See it the way the running back sees it in the same spot. It’s something that we do with a lot of our guys. He’s a pretty conscientious young man.”
Mbow reunites with Dart
Carter isn’t the only rookie who had familiarity with Dart, having faced him in the 2023 Peach Bowl. Offensive lineman and fifth-round pick Marcus Mbow has known Dart since high school. The players have shared texts back and forth since that point.
Despite that, Thursday was the first time the two met in person, right before camp began. So what shaped their connection? Apparently Dart tried to recruit Mbow to play together, even though the lineman lived in Wisconsin and Dart was in Utah.
“Just trying to get me to go places in high school,” Mbow recalled. “Like ‘Hey, come here’ and the other way around . . . I have known him for quite a while through the football scene.”
Those attempts didn’t lead to much. Dart went to USC and transferred to Ole Miss. Mbow went to Purdue. But the relationship continued, and now it will grow with the Giants.
Mbow said he’s comfortable playing at right tackle or guard because he likes to play every position on the offensive line. Daboll said after the draft that Mbow will start off playing tackle but that there’s room for positional flexibility.
Either way, he’ll look forward to developing as a player and seeing if he does team up with Dart on the field at some point. For now, they’re glad to build on a friendship after years of doing it virtually.
Mbow said: “First thing [Dart] said to me was that it’s crazy how things work out.”
End zone
The Giants practiced outdoors on Saturday and the wind might have affected Dart’s accuracy in 7-on-7 drills. He overthrew a few targets but was more aggressive than just looking for short routes. Dart ended practice with a 45-yard touchdown pass to Da’Quan Felton . . . Eli Manning was present at minicamp Saturday and, at one point, chatted with Dart on the sideline. Dart has said he has met Manning before and that Manning’s father, Archie, was a constant source of support during his college career.
Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
