Giants Roster Breakdown: Michael Cox, RB

The New York Giants churned through running backs like butter a season ago, and one of those backs who saw some action was then-rookie Michael Cox. Let's look at Cox today as we continue our player-by-player profiles of the 90-man roster the Giants will bring to training camp July 21.

2013 Season In Review

The Giants drafted the unheralded Cox in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL Draft, perhaps hoping they would catch late-round lightning like they had with running back Ahmad Bradshaw back in 2007. Cox carried the ball only 22 times for 43 yards (1.95 yards per carry), 20 of those carries coming in Games 7 and 8 when injuries forced the Giants to rely on him. He returned 20 kickoffs and had only marginal success there, averaging 21.8 yards per return.

2014 Season Outlook

On paper it would seem like Cox will have a difficult time carving out a significant role for himself this season. The Giants signed Rashad Jennings as a free agent, drafted Andre Williams in the fourth round and re-signed useful veteran Peyton Hillis. They also seem increasingly confident speedster David Wilson to be cleared to return following spinal fusion surgery to repair a herniated disc in his neck. That would make Cox No. 5 on the halfback depth chart, and it isn't every season that teams use six different starters at the position -- which the Giants did last year.