New York Giants select Eric Gray in fifth round of 2023 NFL Draft

Eric Gray is ready to show what he can do in the NFL following a breakout season at Oklahoma in 2022. The running back now knows where he’ll play his rookie season, as the New York Giants selected him No. 172 overall in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Gray led the Sooners backfield this past season, rushing for a career-best 1,366 yards and 11 touchdowns on 213 carries. His 6.4 yards per carry lead the Big 12 as he was named the second team all-conference. He became the fastest OU player to reach the 1,100-yard mark since Adrian Peterson in 2004 and ranked 13th in the country with 113.8 yards per game.

Gray began his college career at Tennessee before transferring to Norman in 2021. In his four total seasons, he rushed for 3,089 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also proved himself as a receiving threat out of the backfield with 99 catches for 827 yards and five touchdowns.

Gray played high school football for Lausanne Collegiate School in Tennessee, where he was a four-star prospect. He ranked as the No. 173 overall player and No. 12 running back in the 2019 class according to the On3 Industry Rating, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Eric Gray

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein provide some interesting analysis on Gray in his recent scout of the running back’s draft profile. He compared Gray to Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders, praising his decision-making as a runner as well as his route-running and pass-catching ability.

Zierlein believes Gray projects as a potential NFL starter with a chance to see reps sooner rather than later. However, he added that the running back is less powerful than he looks at 5’9″ and 207 pounds.

“Decisive, creative runner with the size and skill set for three-down consideration on the pro level,” Zierlein wrote. “Gray won’t be a home run hitter in the open field, but his short-area burst and oily hips open access to the entire field, with cuts coming suddenly and at unpredictable angles.

“He’s a less powerful finisher than his size might indicate and needs to keep from spilling runs wide unnecessarily. He is a reliable threat out of the backfield with soft hands and a willingness to block. Gray has the potential to find work quickly as a three-down backup with future starter potential.”