EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.—In the days since he lost two fumbles and his grasp on the Giants' starting running back job, David Wilson's penchant for coughing up the football has been picked over and pulled apart by fans and analysts across the country.

Is it his poor technique? A lack of upper body strength? Downright carelessness?

According to some observers, Wilson's fumbles may be related to a flaw in his makeup that leaves NFL running backs particularly prone to putting balls on the ground: He grew up running track.

"You're seeing a lot of teams go with these track stars at running back. They're almost like Olympic sprinters," said Gil Brandt, a longtime executive with the Dallas Cowboys. "But the big question is: Can they hold on to the football?"

One week into the 2013 season, the answer appears to be no. Even before Wilson lost two fumbles in the Giants' season-opening loss to Dallas, several other former track-and-field standouts dropped the ball on opening day.