Is New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo a good player to bank on as a breakout star in fantasy football next season?
NFL.com’s Matt Okada believes so, and lists Skattebo as one of 14 breakout candidates for fantasy football in 2026.
From Week 2 through Week 7 of Skattebo’s rookie season, while he was the feature back and healthy, he scored the sixth-most fantasy points at the position, averaging 19.1 per game. He did so despite averaging just 0.5 yards before contact per carry during this span, amazingly averaging 3.7 yards after contact per carry and forcing a missed tackle on 29.2% of his carries, per NFL Pro. The good news: New head coach John Harbaugh has already reshaped the run game in front of Skattebo with the selection of offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa and the acquisition of fullback Patrick Ricard (among other moves).
There are hurdles to the second-year back’s breakout: the injury risk of Skattebo’s violent running style and, to a lesser degree, the presence of Tyrone Tracy Jr. in the backfield. But with good health and an improved offense, Skattebo has the ultimate upside to contend for RB1 overall.
Skattebo was a productive running back before suffering an injury last season. He found ways to accumulate yards on the ground and reach the end zone, earning goal-line touches and similar opportunities. He is projected by some to rush for more than 1,000 yards in 2026, positioning him as a player who may experience one of the biggest jumps next season.
In addition to Skattebo, Okada also listed quarterback Jaxson Dart.
It was a somewhat-spotty rookie season for Dart, who took the starting reins in Week 4, immediately lost his WR1, later lost his RB1 and missed two and a half games in November following a concussion. Even still, Dart averaged 20.13 fantasy points per game in his 12 starts. Over the full season, that figure would have made him the QB4. In 2026, he gets RB Cam Skattebo and WR Malik Nabers back from injury, while also benefiting from the addition of TE Isaiah Likely and improved personnel on the offensive line. He’s one of the most dangerous rushing quarterbacks in the league — hitting 487 yards and nine touchdowns in those 12 starts — and was impressive as a passer in Year 1 (with room to grow). With better injury luck and solid command of a new offense, Dart has the rare potential to jump into the elite fantasy ranks at quarterback.
If both players break out — even in the fantasy world — it will likely mean good things for the Giants on the field.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: 2 New York Giants named 2026 fantasy football breakout candidates
Reporting by Matt Legros, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Matt Legros, Giants Wire | USA TODAY Network
