The New York Giants added some veteran depth at the running back position on Monday, agreeing to terms with Dion Lewis.
The 29-year-old Lewis will likely be the complimentary back to Saquon Barkley, who rushed for over 1,000 yards in his second season, but also dealt with some injuries.
With Barkley hurt, the Giants’ running game struggled with Wayne Gallman and Jon Hilliman. Now with Lewis in place, the Giants have a veteran who might be able to fill that role more efficiently given his experience and versatility.
Here are five things to know about Lewis:
East Coast guy
Lewis is originally a New Yorker, as he grew up in Albany before eventually transferring from Albany High School to Blair Academy in New Jersey.
With Lewis on the team, Blair Academy went 17-1 in two seasons and won three championships, one of which was a New Jersey Prep state title.
Lewis also lettered in track and field as well, competing in sprints, long jump and relays.
Former Panther
Lewis stayed somewhat close to home when he decided to go to college and play for the University of Pittsburgh.
In his first season there, Lewis, as a freshman, ran for 1,799 yards and 17 touchdowns on 325 attempts.
In his sophomore season, Lewis had 1,061 yards and 13 touchdowns in 219 attempts.
Lewis decided to forgo his junior year and declared for the 2011 NFL Draft.
Knows the NFC East
Lewis is no stranger to playing in the NFC East, as this will be his second time in the division.
Lewis’ career began when he was a fifth-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles back in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Lewis spent his first two seasons with the Eagles and was primarily used as a kick returner since LeSean McCoy and Ronnie Brown were already there. He was eventually traded after the 2012 season.
Reunited with Joe Judge
One of the stops in Lewis’ career came with the New England Patriots, as he played with them from 2015-2017.
Lewis’ best season in the league was 2017, when he had 180 carries for 896 yards and six rushing touchdowns.
Judge was the special teams coordinator for the Patriots when Lewis played there, so the two sides clearly know each other.
Sixth team in the league
If some look at Lewis’ stat sheet or his football card, they will likely see the stats from when he was a member of the Eagles, Patriots and Titans.
However, there are two teams that Lewis was a member of, but didn’t get to play in a regular season game for.
Lewis was on the Cleveland Browns for the 2013 season, but missed the entire year due to a fractured fibula. Lewis then signed with the Indianapolis Colts for the 2014 season, but was released before the season and didn’t play again until 2015.
With the Giants, it will make them the sixth team that Lewis is associated with in his NFL career.
