McAdoo calls Perkins the starter

Giants HC Ben McAdoo on Monday told reporters that RB Paul Perkins is the team's backfield starter, according to Pro Football Talk. That's no shocking revelation, but it's notable that McAdoo talks about the 2nd-year back that way rather than saying he'll need to earn the top job. Perkins followed an impressive run at UCLA by not leading the Giants in carries until Week 16. But he did finish the year starting over Rashad Jennings, including the playoff loss at Green Bay. The team drafted Clemson RB Wayne Gallman over the weekend, but he doesn't bring NFL-starter talent. And Jennings remains unsigned. RB Shane Vereen is still around and should claim plenty of receiving work -- if he can stay healthy (a big "if"). But early fantasy drafters should treat Perkins as the top back in what could easily be a top-10 scoring and yardage offense.