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David Wilson will have a chance to be the Giants' starting running back this season.

(Photo by Andrew Mills/The Star-Ledger)

NEW YORK -- David Wilson was the Giants' first-round pick last year, but he doesn't expect the starting running back job to be handed to him.

"The job is not given to anybody, you’ve just got to go out and earn it," Wilson said today, at a Boost Mobile "Shrink Hunger" community event, to help City Harvest combat hunger in New York City.

Ahmad Bradshaw was cut by the Giants last month, and the team has said Wilson, Andre Brown, Ryan Torain and Da'Rel Scott will all compete for playing time.

So Wilson has been mostly staying in New Jersey, training and preparing at the Giants' facility. He said he's added a few pounds of muscle -- he wants to play between 208 and 210 pounds, up from 205 last year -- in order to be a better pass protector, which he knows is the key to him staying on the field.

"Because at the end of the day, Eli is our quarterback in there," Wilson said. "And when the game is in a tough situation, the ball is going to be in his hands to make decisions. And when he makes those decisions, he’s got to be able to stand in the pocket."

Wilson's rookie season got off to a rocky start, after a critical fumble in the season opener against Dallas. He found a niche as a kick returner, using his sprinter's speed for one return touchdown and 1,533 return yards, until he grew into a bigger role on offense. Even if he earns the starting job, Wilson hopes he's still used as a returner.

"I’d truly miss being back there on kick returns if they decided to take me off," Wilson said. "And I would still try to get back there somehow."

Wilson finished the 2012 season with 71 carries for 358 yards and four rushing touchdowns. The coaches were open about him needing to improve his pass protection and knowledge of the offense to earn more playing time.

"I think (last) year was a big learning experience for me," Wilson said. "I became better as a football player, and I feel more comfortable going into this season than I did last year, because I know the playbook a little bit more. I know what to expect, or what to do and not to do. I’m not a rookie (any) more."

He added: "I know the playbook more. So I’m not out there remembering the plays, it’s natural."

Wilson is confident in his ability to be an every-down back, saying he could carry the ball as many as 300 times in a season "as long as I am healthy" -- though very few backs in the NFL are asked to shoulder that kind of rushing load these days.

Right guard Chris Snee believes Wilson is expected to be the lead back this season.

"The way it looks right now, he has to be," said Snee, who was also at the Boost Mobile community event. "There’s a time when you have to grow up and assume that role, whether it is your first year or fifth year. This will be his second year. I think he has somewhat of an understanding of the offense. There is always room to grow on that. Physically the guy is blessed, he has all the tools. If his number is called, I am sure he is excited about it."

Wilson was "sad" to see Bradshaw be cut, calling the veteran "a real good mentor." But he knows now is his time to rise to the occasion.

"I've definitely got the confidence in myself that I can go out there and not just do the job for the team, but be good at it," Wilson said. "Go out there and execute all the things I need to do as an NFL running back."

And as for whether he'll keep doing those backflips, the ones coach Tom Coughlin and his veteran teammates dislike so much, Wilson grinned.

"Just playing football," he said.

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