As the New York Giants prepare to open training camp on July 28, one of the many questions facing the team is what to do at running back.

After struggling on the ground for much of the 2015 season, running back Rashad Jennings came on toward the end. Fellow running back Shane Vereen did his part through the air, but collectively, the group was nothing to write home about.

In 2016, there have been a few additions to that group. And it’s the rookie who offers the most intrigue.

Running back, Paul Perkins

Sterling Shepard isn’t the only Giants rookie building hype ahead of training camp — and no, once again it’s not Eli Apple. Rather, it’s running back Paul Perkins, whom the team selected in the fifth-round of the NFL Draft.

Even with three established veterans ahead of him — Rashad Jennings, Shane Vereen and Andre Williams — many believe Perkins will make an early impact for the Giants. Some have even ventured out on a limb to predict he’ll be the team’s starter by year’s end. We’re not going to go that far, but there is still plenty of reason to buy into the hype.

At 5-10 Perkins may be undersized, and with a 4.54 40-yard dash time he isn’t considered overly speedy, but he is productive. Even in a league that is slowly devaluing the position, the former UCLA star has the ability to do a little bit of everything.

In his final college season, Perkins rushed for 1,343 yards and 13 touchdowns while averaging 5.7 yards per carry. He also proved his worth through the air, hauling in 30 receptions for 242 yards and one touchdown while averaging 8.1 yards per reception.

Oh yeah, he can pass protect and pick up the blitz, too. Although he’ll need to refine those skills a bit.

“He’s a young man that we’re very excited about,” offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan told Giants.com. “Glad that he’s here, glad that he’s a member of the Giants. He just needs to get those reps and it’ll be great to have him go full-speed ahead for us in training camp.”

The bottom line is that Perkins is an exceptional talent; a diamond in the rough that just needs to be buffed out a bit. He’s not likely to start out of the gate, but that job could very much be in his future. And it all starts with improving his game throughout training camp and the preseason. How soon things develop after that is anyone’s guess.