The history of the New York Giants dates back to 1925. That means there are many running backs who have lined up in the backfield and carried the ball.
The Giants selected Saquon Barkley with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He burst onto the scene as a rookie with over 2,000 yards from scrimmage. Barkley has the ability to dominate in the run game and as a receiver out of the backfield. If he stays healthy, Barkley has a great chance to be one of the top backs in Giants' history. Until then, these are the top backs in franchise history.
Going down the list, there were plenty of players to choose from. Rodney Hampton and Brandon Jacobs are two that come in as honorable mentions. Jacobs was in the backfield for two Super Bowl championships for the Giants. Hampton totaled five straight 1,000 yard seasons from 1991-1996.
3. Joe Morris
Morris was a second-round pick of the Giants in the 1982 NFL Draft. He put together an All-American career at Syracuse where he left as the school's all-time leading rusher. Morris did not find success as a rookie despite scoring a touchdown on his first career rushing attempt.
Morris played in 20 games over his first two years and did not record a start. It was not until 1984 when he began getting consistent carries. In 1985, Morris had his best statistical season. He rushed for 1,336 yards and led the league with 21 touchdowns. The very next year he earned a First Team All-Pro bid after a 1,516-yard season with 14 touchdowns.
In 1989, Morris ran into some injury problems and ended up missing the entire season with a foot injury. He would spend one year with the Cleveland Browns before calling it a career after the 1991 season. Morris retired as the all-time leader in franchise history with 5,296 yards. He also retired as the leader in carries and touchdowns but he has been passed in all three categories.
2. Frank Gifford
Gifford joined the Giants in 1952 after being selected 11th overall in the draft. He spent his entire 12-year career with the Giants and saw great success. Gifford went to six NFL Championship Games with the Giants. They were only able to pick up one win in 1956.
The 1956 season was a special one for Gifford and the Giants. He was named league MVP after rushing for 819 yards and five touchdowns. Gifford led the NFL in yards from scrimmage with 1,422. This was one of eight Pro Bowl seasons for Gifford. He was also selected as First Team All-Pro four times throughout his career.
In the 1950s, the rosters were limited to 33 players. This meant that the top players would have to play on both sides of the ball. Over his first two years with the Giants, Gifford played in the secondary as a defensive back. He carried the ball 88 times in those years. In 1955, Gifford began getting more consistent carries for the Giants. Prior to the 1961 season, Gifford suffered a head injury that led to him announcing his retirement. He missed the 1961 season but returned in 1962 to play three more seasons as a flanker.
Following his retirement, Gifford won an Emmy for his work as a broadcaster. He worked ABC's Monday Night Football. Gifford was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977.
1. Tiki Barber
Barber spent his entire 10-year career with the Giants after being selected in the second round of the 1997 NFL Draft out of Virginia. As a rookie, Barber scored in his first three career games but suffered some injury problems that would halt his progress.
Over the first three years of his career, Barber started just 11 games. He is a player that got stronger as his career went on. In 1000, Barber rushed for 1,006 yards and eight touchdowns. From that point on, he would begin a career that would be better than any other running back in Giants' history.
Beginning in 2002, Barber would rush for at least 1,200 yards for the next five years. He was a three-time Pro Bowler and named First Team All-Pro in 2005. He would total 1,860 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. Barber led the league in yards from scrimmage with 2,390 yards. This was after leading the league in the same category in 2004 with 2,096 yards. In his final NFL season, Barber rushed for 1,662 yards and five touchdowns. He retired with six 1,000 yard seasons and four seasons with 300 or more carries.
In the final regular season game of his career, Barber rushed 23 times for 234 yards and three touchdowns. This win over the Washington Redskins gave the Giants a wild card spot. Barber has a stranglehold on the rushing yards record for New York. He finished with 10,449 career yards which makes him the only player in team history to surpass that mark. Barber also leads with 2,217 carries and is second in touchdowns with 55.
He has been the top back in franchise history for 14 years and there is no end in sight.
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