First look at rookie RB DJ Giddens in full Indianapolis Colts' uniform
Following Indianapolis Colts' minicamp, we got our first look at rookie running back DJ Giddens in his full home uniform.
The Colts drafted Giddens out of Kansas State in the fifth round of this past April's draft. He, along with Khalil Herbert, will attempt to provide the Colts with more production at the backup running back position behind Jonathan Taylor--something that GM Chris Ballard said the team needed earlier this offseason.
After rushing for over 1,200 yards in 2023, Giddens eclipsed 1,300 yards in 2024. This past season, specifically, he averaged a hefty 6.5 yards per attempt, which included ranking sixth in average yards after contact and 20th in missed tackles forced.
With Giddens being difficult to bring down, he totaled the 15th-most rushes of 10-plus yards, according to PFF.
Along with his contributions as a ball carrier, Giddens was also active in the passing game, totaling 72 targets over the last two seasons. This area, in particular, is where he could give the Colts' offense a boost, given that this was an element out of the backfield that was largely missing last season.
'He's got to improve a little bit in the pass pro, but he's only 21 years old," area scout Tyler Hughes said via the Indy Star. "He played through that wrist injury this year, so you can give him a slight advantage where it's going to get better, but he's tough enough, he's strong enough and he knows the game well enough where you see his character come into effect there.
"He's going to hit his ceiling in the passing game. He's shown enough on tape, as far as a receiver, where he can make guys miss in the open field and run some routes and catch the ball reliably."
Giddens will be competing with Herbert, as well as Tyler Goodson, for the primary backup role behind Taylor.
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