Fullback Patrick Ricard’s role with the New York Giants stands apart from typical offensive positions, reflecting his unique blend of size, skill, and blocking prowess. Though the Giants list Ricard among the tight ends rather than the running backs, his role diverges from conventional pass-catching duties associated with tight ends. Instead, he functions primarily as a powerful blocker, carving out a niche defined less by ball carrying and more by physicality.

Ricard, who signed a two-year contract worth $7.63 million this offseason to become the highest-paid fullback in the NFL, joined the Giants following the hiring of head coach John Harbaugh, with whom he spent the first nine years of his professional career in Baltimore. His arrival fits within the Giants' broader strategy, described by assistant general manager Brandon Brown as "building the bully"—a focus on players who bring a relentless, aggressive mentality to the field.

At 6-foot-3 and 300 pounds, Ricard’s on-field presence contrasts sharply with many skill-position players. Running backs coach Willie Taggart confirmed that Ricard does not practice with the running backs but instead reports to the tight end room, highlighting his unique position within the offense. Tyrone Tracy, one of the Giants’ running backs, praised Ricard’s physicality and impact as a blocker, expressing confidence that their partnership would benefit both players.

Ricard’s statistics illustrate his blocking-first approach. Over 132 NFL games, he has recorded only 11 rushing attempts, with a single carry in the past three seasons, and 49 receptions with just four during the last two years. Despite minimal touches, Ricard emphasizes that his priority is facilitating success for the team’s skill players rather than accumulating statistics himself. His blocking contributions were critical to the recent achievements of Ravens running backs Derrick Henry, who totaled over 3,500 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns behind Ricard in two seasons, and quarterback Lamar Jackson, who compiled 6,522 rushing yards during the same period.

Former Ravens teammate Isaiah Likely, who accompanied Harbaugh to New York, describes Ricard as "a great Swiss Army knife," underscoring his versatility and adaptability. Ricard’s background as a defensive lineman at the University of Maine before converting to fullback with the Ravens in 2017 adds to his distinctive style, incorporating a defender’s mindset into his blocking assignments.

Ricard is also reunited with Greg Roman, now the Giants’ senior offensive assistant. Roman, who coached tight ends and served as offensive coordinator during Ricard’s time in Baltimore, is expected to play a key role in shaping the Giants’ running game, utilizing Ricard extensively in his blocking schemes. As the Giants prepare for the upcoming season, Ricard’s blend of size, experience, and physicality positions him as a cornerstone of New York’s ground attack, emphasizing team success over individual statistics.