The New York Giants are set to begin training camp on July 29. That’s right, we’re single digit days away from the NFL season officially starting. The Giants made several moves in the draft and via free agency that give them a much better outlook than last year’s squad. There is potential for a special season in 2016.

That said, there are still some positions up for grabs in camp. This series of articles will look at those positions, and the next one is the starting running back spot. Check out the starting free safety, middle linebacker and tight end positions we examined already.

If you’re anything like me, you have given up on Andre Williams. The 2014 fourth-round pick has been anything but impressive, and saw his workload decrease in his second season when many expected there would be an increase. He only had 88 carries, 257 yards (2.9 ypc) and seven touchdowns in 2015, every single number down from his rookie year.

Despite what the fans think, this could be a bounce back year for Williams, and the Giants appear willing to make that happen. He showed up to the offseason program 12 pounds lighter and with a renewed sense of confidence. New coach Ben McAdoo has been overwhelmingly positive when it comes to Williams.

“I think a lot of people may be willing to give up on Andre. I think it may be early for that,” McAdoo said way back at the combine.” I look forward to Andre bouncing back this year and having a bounce-back year.”

After seeing Williams at OTAs and mini camp, McAdoo praised him further.

“Andre just needs some reps,” he said. “He looks good right now. He’s moving around well. He’s fluid. He’s working a lot on catching the ball, and doing a nice job for us there. We’re spreading the reps around. It’s early. It is June, but we’ll see more from Andre when training camp rolls around and we get the pads on.”

Not only that, but SB Nation’s Big Blue View took an in-depth look at Williams’ carries in the 2015 season. To no one’s surprise most of the problem lied in the Giants offensive line, as well as Williams not being put in situations where he could succeed.

Having said all of that, the job is clearly Rashad Jennings’ to lose at the moment. He finished the 2015 incredibly strong behind a makeshift offensive line. In the last four weeks of the season, when the Giants finally decided to give one guy the bulk of the carries, Jennings exploded for 432 yards on 79 carries (5.46 ypc).

Shane Vereen had a career year in his first with Big Blue, setting personal highs with 59 receptions, 494 yards and four touchdowns. He is not as talented a runner as Jennings but will absolutely be used in the passing game. He offers more than any of the other running backs in that department, helping Eli Manning have one of his best seasons in 2015.

The Giants also have veteran Bobby Rainey, Orleans Darkwa and 2016 fifth-round pick Paul Perkins from UCLA in the mix. Rainey showed flashes in a fill-in role for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he shouldn’t be considered more than a backup if he even makes the team. You know exactly what you’re getting with him. Darkwa has been used sparingly, but the fact that he’s spent most of the offseason recovering from an injury could be enough to see him on the outside looking in. Frankly, it would be surprising if either of these two made the cut.

Perkins has been pegged by some as a potential steal and a dark horse candidate to win the starting job in camp. Jennings is 31, Vereen is far from a great runner and Williams is still trying to prove himself. Anything is possible at this point. Yes, he was taken in the 5th round, but this is mostly due to teams simply devaluing the position. The potential is there to be an every-down back (or at least a threat as both a runner and receiver), something the Giants have lacked since Tiki Barber retired.

Whatever the decision, we have to hope they stick with one back so he can get into a rhythm. Heaven help the offense if they go with a four-back rotation . . . again.

Thanks for reading this series examining the most exciting training camp battles we will all be watching. The first practice is July 29.

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