New York Giants running back Dante Miller, nicknamed “Turbo” Miller, was a popular undrafted rookie last summer at training camp.
Although Miller ended up missing the cut in 2024, he was retained on the practice squad and spent the majority of his first NFL season there. Eventually, he even suited up for two regular-season games, but he only logged a total of eight snaps according to Pro Football Reference (one on offense, seven on special teams).
Per NorthJersey.com beat reporter Art Stapleton, Miller’s stock is “rising” again heading into Giants training camp in 2025.
During a recent post-minicamp article on June 20, Stapleton wrote that “with [fellow running back] Eric Gray out of action for the latter part of the spring workouts, Miller stepped up and got significant time with [rookie quarterback] Jaxson Dart, including second-team reps.”
“His speed is obvious,” the veteran beat writer noted. Pondering: “Can ‘Turbo’ become a factor on special teams?”
Answering his own question, in part, Stapleton went on to relay that “[Miller] showed elusiveness as a punt returner and was used as one of the top kickoff returners in minicamp.”
“It’ll be interesting to see if he can maintain his rep count if and when Cam Skattebo and Gray get back to a full workload in camp,” he concluded.
Keeping Dante Miller Could Mean Finally Parting Ways With Eric Gray After Giants Training Camp
Giants fans will likely notice that hidden within Stapleton’s Miller praise was another disappointing update on 2023 fifth-round pick Eric Gray.
General manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll have stuck with Gray in recent cutdown scenarios, despite his career rushing average of 2.5 yards per carry. And that’s mainly because the former draft pick has carved out roles on special teams.
Gray finished the 2024 campaign with the most kickoff returns of any Giants player, returning 21 kickoffs for 554 yards and an average of 26.4 yards per return.
Having said that, wide receiver/returner Ihmir Smith-Marsette has proven to be more dynamic in this role, returning 11 kickoffs for 381 yards, 1 touchdown, and an average of 34.6 yards per return in 2024.
As Stapleton noted, Miller is also a candidate to return kicks and punts, so that special teams battle could determine if Big Blue finally parts ways with Gray in 2025.
Giants’ RB Room Is Crowded Heading Into Training Camp
It’s hard to judge the running back position throughout OTAs and minicamp. That’s not to take away from what Stapleton said about Miller — his speed shining is certainly a good thing — but he’ll have to continue to show what he can do once the pads come on.
To be clear, Miller didn’t necessarily have problems during training camp last year, but he did tail off slightly after a standout spring.
With that in mind, Miller and Gray both impressed during the preseason in 2024, with yards per carry averages of 4.15 YPG and 10.00 YPG, respectively. This time around, the former UDFA must leave no doubt.
The Giants’ RB room is very crowded heading into training camp, with Skattebo joining 2024 breakout rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. at the top.
Don’t forget about veteran Devin Singletary, who could profile as a cut or trade candidate if Miller and Gray both force the issue in July and August. It would make more sense for the Giants to release Singletary at the start of the 2025 offseason, based on his contract, but they could expedite that process if they feel they’d rather not send any of their younger backs onto waivers.
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