Saquon Brings Big Game to the Big Apple

The New York Giants used the 2018 NFL draft’s second selection on one of the best running back prospects to enter the league the past two…

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Saquon Brings Big Game to the Big Apple

Barkley is a special player but the NFL requires 11 men executing in sync to be successful.

The New York Giants used the 2018 NFL draft’s second selection on one of the best running back prospects to enter the league the past two decades. His film is outstanding, he was highly productive, he tested at an elite level, has ideal size and his sole weaknesses almost feel like nitpicks than real concerns. An example, he often bounces broken plays outside in an effort for a bigger play only to lose five or six yards. The truth is Barkley has the playmaking ability running & receiving to be bust proof. He may not immediately take the league by the storm running the ball. But his floor as a receiving/slot receiving back is high. He’s an immediate fantasy starter with top 5 running back production potential in ’18. He’s as safe a rookie can be entering the league.

RB Saquon Barkley

• Size: 6’0” / 233
• Draft Selection: #2 (2018)
• Depth Chart: RB1 (Jonathan Stewart & Wayne Gallman will get secondary touches)
• ’18 Outlook: RB1 (RB2 if offense doesn’t click and/or assimilation challenges arise)
• Analytics Profile: Elite (Player Profiler)
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saquon/
• NFL Comparison: Hershel Walker

Outlook: The New York Football Giants invested a lot of draft capital (#2 pick) in Barkley. Film and athletic testing back up that selection, showing an immediate fantasy starter with top 5 production potential in ’18. Barkley is as safe a rookie can be entering the league. His competition is soft. Jonathan Stewart is the primary backup, an underrated veteran, he’s at the end of his career. Wayne Gallman will be the third back, he doesn’t have enough talent to steal carries.

Opportunity: In recent years the Giants haven’t run the ball very well and at times became one dimensional. With the addition of Barkley, the Giants best runner since Tiki Barber, this will change. The Giants have given approx. 180 carries to their RB1 and 100+ to their RB2. If we say he will get 15 carries/game, that would be 240 for the season. Coupled with outstanding hands, the Giants have funneled approx. 60 targets to their top two backs. Let’s assume these go to Barkley, that would put him at 300+ touches. This is a safe player to amass 1300+ total yards. With massive size, power and speed, he should be a prolific scorer as well. If he doesn’t assimilate quickly (or Giants offense stalls), then he’s only a strong RB2. Yet with true featured back touches, he’s a safe bet to end the season with RB1 production.

Long-term: The NY Giants GM stated before the draft that he wanted to select a “yellow jacket”, referring to a hall of fame jacket wearing player. While the perception of Barkley is that HOF is well within reach, he still needs to deliver a result on the field, over eight to ten years. Barkley has all the talent in the world, a modern back adept at running routes and lining up all over the field. With tremendous size and speed, his potential is limitless. If there is a concern, beyond injuries, it’s Barkley’s tendency to bounce broken plays outside to hit home runs, resulting in big losses. At the NFL level, this will put his team in negative down & distance situations. and will keep him from realizing his vast potential. If he stays healthy and improves his ability to take what the defense has given him, he will be a perennial RB1 with upside to be a fantasy league winner.