When the Indianapolis colts drafted the running back back, DJ Giddens, the Kansas State during the fifth round of the NFL recent draft, they were struck out that a player they thought so strongly was still available.
As a result, the colts stopped the Giddens slide, making him the 151st choice. Although Giddens did not meet an immediate blatant need, because the colts already have a pro bowl in Jonathan Taylor, the colts see a player who can be effective, whether as a role player or, possibly, a starter.
Recently, Espn The Senior Fantastic Football writer of the NFL Mike Clay published his statistics projections for the Recruit class 2025Including a modest outing for Giddens.
Clay projects that Giddens obtains 48 races for 201 Yards (4.2 AVG) and two affected as well as seven receptions for 49 yards (7.0 BC).
“Giddens has a solid setting and has shown its athletics with the combine harvester, with the second best vertical (39½ inches) and a large jump (10 feet 10 inches) among the RB,” wrote Clay. “It was solid in terms of its effectiveness as a collegial rusher, but it fought with drops and could maximize as an option early. Jonathan TaylorGiddens will fight Tyler Goodson For main backup tasks. “”
While statistics projections for Giddens seem to be fair since the colts already have a Bell cow back, Taylor is missing more than three games per season during his career. However, you cannot predict injuries. Anyway, the possibility opens an opportunity for Giddens, which will probably fight against Khalil Herbert – not Tyler Goodson – for more work under the main backup tasks.
“I don’t mind that this rear role, especially in someone who is the elite like him, I can learn a lot,” Giddens told journalists during the minicamp recruit about being behind Taylor. “So that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to sit down and listen to myself. I’m not saying too much, I don’t think I know everything, so I’m going to be a sponge around him.”
The size of giddens would indicate that it could be a physical back, but it is more a runner of finesse. He has patience, vision and the ability to make sudden cuts, which led to comparisons with the former colt ball carrier at 1,000 yards Marlon Mack, including the Director General of the Colts Chris Ballard.
Giddens set up an impressive strip in 2024, but he actually entered the NFL more confident in his abilities as a three-down player than before after recovering from a wrist injury he suffered at the start of last season.
“No more confidence in protection, I can use my hands. By taking the ball, I must not myself, and I can simply play,” Giddens told journalists during minicamp recruit when he was asked for the difference that his recovery made.
Giddens was productive on the ground, rushing on 3,087 yards and 23 affected in the past three years, but he also catches the ball despite his wrist injury in 2024, firing 58 receptions for 679 yards and four other scores of his career for Wildcats.
The recruit certainly has shots to share in the back field among Taylor and Herbert (and Goodson, perhaps?), But if the opportunity to make games, Giddens is convinced that he can do them.
“This is competition, that’s for sure,” replied Giddens when he was asked what his expectations were this year. “Everyone enters – I come to start – that’s what everyone’s state of mind is. But anything, I will continue to work, so I don’t trip.”
