Why the Slide Series
This series was created a number of years ago in response to questions about why certain well-known prospects went unselected in NFL drafts. For these articles, I reach out to sources with NFL teams to find out why their organizations passed on drafting a given player and/or the reasons other teams passed on that prospect. The positive response to “Why Undrafted” and questions from readers about why prospects were drafted lower than the media’s expectations led us to create the parallel series “Why the Slide?”
Both series are back this year. Feel free to email me requests for Why the Slide? and Why Undrafted? at [email protected]. I can’t promise to get to all of them, but I will do my best and definitely will respond to the email.
The Expectations
Perhaps no 2025 NFL Draft prospect helped themselves more during the 2024 college football season than Skattebo. After playing three seasons at Sacramento State, Skattebo had a decent debut for the Sun Devils in 2023 when he ran for 788 yards in seven starts. In the offseason prior to his senior year, Skattebo worked hard to drop weight and get himself in position for a huge season. Skattebo was phenomenal in 2024, as he averaged 5.8 yards per carry for 1,711 yards with 21 touchdowns. He also had 45 catches for 605 yards and three touchdowns. After his prolific season, some in the media were projecting Skattebo to be an early-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, yet Skattebo slid to the fourth round.
The ‘Why’
In speaking to team sources, they did not feel that Skattebo had a real slide and I was projecting him to be a mid-rounder throughout the spring. Sources felt that Skattebo did not have an early-round skill set, with a lack of speed being an issue. Sources had Skattebo with backup grades as they felt that was what his skill set warranted.
The New York Giants ended Skattebo’s slide, and that was a fine landing spot. Tyrone Tracy Jr. had a strong rookie season in 2024 and is slated to be the starter. New York also has an experienced veteran in Devin Singletary and a second-year back in Eric Gray to compete for playing time. Skattebo will have to beat out this trio of backs to become a three-down starter for the Giants. New York is still searching for a true replacement for Saquon Barkley, and Skattebo has a good opportunity to factor into the competition.
2026 NFL Mock Draft - May 20
NFL Power Rankings - May 16
Fantasy Football Rankings - May 10
NFL Picks - Feb. 9
