Can RB Robert Martin take advantage of opportunity with Giants?

Running back Robert Martin was never really the featured back for Rutgers University, but he did enough to get the attention of the New York Giants, who signed him after a rookie camp tryout. Can he do enough now to make the roster?

Let’s take a look as we continue our player-by-player profiles of the 90-man roster.

The basics

Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 207
Position: Running back
Experience: 0

2017 season in review

Martin gained 452 yards on 100 carries (4.5 yards per carry), with 3 touchdowns. He caught 8 passes, The 2017 season was actually his least-productive in his four years at Rutgers, but still enough to earn him a rookie camp tryout with the Giants. They signed him after that. Martin ended his Scarlet Knights career with 2,256 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Martin was not invited to the NFL combine, but NJ.com broke down where his testing at the Rutgers Pro Day would have placed him at the combine.

Bench: 19. (10th)
Vertical jump: 32.
Broad jump: 9-6.
40: 4.66.
3-cone: 7.02. (8th)
20 shuttle: 4.07. (T-1st)
60 shuttle: 11.30. (2nd)

2018 outlook

There are only three running backs who appear to be virtual locks to make the 53-man roster — first-round pick Saquon Barkley, Wayne Gallman and Jonathan Stewart.

In my recent 53-man roster projection, I have the Giants keeping four backs. I’m not sure, though, who the fourth will be. Martin and Jalen Simmons are the other backs in camp, and both did good work during spring practice. Simmons spent most of last season the Carolina Panthers practice squad.

If he doesn’t make the regular-season roster, there would seem to be a good chance for Martin to at least make the 10-man practice squad.