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Rashad Jennings is a quality, versatile running back who can do everything well, but he is not a speed back or a home run threat. Andre Williams is a promising young power back, but he is neither a true home run threat nor a player who can be a real weapon as a pass receiver.
The New York Giants lost the player they hoped would give them that change of pace, big-play element out of the backfield when David Wilson was forced to retire before the 2014 season due to his neck injury.
Even with Jennings and Williams returning next season the Giants could use another running back, especially a guy who could be a weapon as a pass receiver and provide some explosive play for Ben McAdoo's offense.
Could free-agent Knowshon Moreno be that guy?
Moreno played only three games for the Miami Dolphins in 2014, suffering a season-ending torn ACL. Injuries have been a constant issue for the 27-year-old Moreno throughout his six-year career. He has played 16 games only twice, suffering a torn ACL in 2011 with the Denver Broncos and both a dislocated elbow and a torn ACL with the Dolphins last season.
Still, Moreno has been a productive player when healthy. The 5-foot-10, 215-pound back has averaged 4.1 yards per carry in his carry and caught 158 passes, including 60 in 2013.
Kevin Nogle of SB Nation's Dolphins web site, The Phinsider, seemed conflicted when asked for thoughts about Moreno:
"It is really hard to give you a scouting report on Moreno, because he was not around for most of the year. He looked absolutely great in the team's Week 1 win over the New England Patriots, running for 134 yards on 14 carries with a score and locking up the FEDEX Ground Player of the Week award. Then, on his first carry in Week 2, he dislocated his elbow and missed the next two games, coming back after the bye week. In that Week 6 contest, Moreno carried the ball six times for ten yards before tearing his ACL and heading to injured reserve for the remainder of the season. In all, he had 31 carries for 148 yards and a touchdown. He was an injury risk when Miami signed him, and it bit them, but he really did look good in the limited times we got to see him. I do not think Miami will re-sign him, instead looking to the Draft to get younger at the position, but also would not be shocked if they did bring him back for another year, if the contract makes sense."
Given his injury history and the fact that he barely played in 2014, Moreno would seem unlikely to find a lucrative free-agent offer waiting for him this off-season. Would he make sense for the Giants as a third-down back and as insurance for Jennings and Williams if they can get him on a low-cost, one-year deal?