A healthy Saquon Barkley can be NFL’s best back »
With the NFL offseason nearly over and training camps appearing likely to start on time in late July, The Trentonian is examining the Giants position by position.
Part 1 of the series featured the quarterbacks. Next up are the running backs.
Who’s Gone/New
The Giants haven’t re-signed unrestricted free agent Javorius Allen, who remains on the open market. He rushed 10 times for 36 yards with a touchdown and had one catch for nine yards in limited snaps last season.
Dion Lewis signed a one-year deal with the Giants in April and has the inside track to be Saquon Barkley’s top backup. But the 29-year-old’s $1.55 million deal is not guaranteed money, so his camp performance will be critical to making the team. The pass-catching specialist has played for the Titans, Patriots, Colts, Browns and Eagles.
The Giants also signed undrafted rookie Javon Leake, second-year pro George Aston and ex-Australian player Sandro Platzgummer — each of whom are longshots to make the roster.
Who’s Back
Barkley, obviously, enters his third year as the undisputed bell cow in the backfield.
The Giants also feature Wayne Gallman, who has appeared in 38 games since being drafted out of Clemson in 2017, along with fullback Eli Penny.
Jon Hilliman was on the practice squad for much of last year, but he also made a spot start in Week 6 against the Patriots when Barkley and Gallman were injured.
What They Did Last Year
Barkley’s sophomore season didn’t quite live up to his debut campaign in which he set the alltime record for receptions by a rookie running back and became only the third rookie to total more than 2,000 all-purpose yards.
That was largely due to a highankle sprain that cost Barkley three games, although he was originally expected to miss four to eight weeks. That may have affected him upon his return in Week 7, as his yards per carry dropped from 5.0 in Year 1 to 4.6 in Year 2. He also averaged about 15 fewer scrimmage yards per game.
Still, Barkley eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards again and scored eight touchdowns.
Outlook
Assuming he stays healthier, Barkley should reemerge as one of the NFL’s elite backs this season and challenge for the rushing title.
As a reminder of the 23-year-old’s potential, according to Pro Football Focus he forced 71 missed tackles as a runner and receiver in 2018 — 11 more than any other running back. His 31 forced missed tackles after the catch led all players by eight.
His combination of elusiveness and explosiveness at 233 pounds is why the Giants invested the No. 2 overall pick in him in 2017.
“What I’m trying to build on is just trying to improve every single day right now with these meetings and being that guy coming to these meetings locked in, making sure that I’m taking notes, paying attention to the details and anytime that I do get a chance to work on my little craft, whether I get on the field or not, focus on the things that are being taught in meetings and try to apply it to the field,” Barkley said on a Zoom call while working out in New Jersey last month. “Just try to stay focused and try to stay locked in so when it does come, I’m ready.”
We know new offensive coordinator Jason Garrett loves to run the ball, as the Cowboys’ Ezekiel Elliott finished first or second in the NFL in rushing attempts in 2019, 2018 and 2016. Barkley said he planned to reach out to Elliott for more insight into Garrett’s scheme.
The Giants’ offensive line also has a chance to be the best it has been in several years. The team drafted left tackle Andrew Thomas fourth overall this year and then spent two of its next four picks on other linemen.
Lewis, who adds value as a pass blocker and receiver, should complement Barkley in third-down situations.
“It’s a fresh start, it’s a new start,” Barkley said. “You learn a new system, kind of feel like a rookie again. Obviously you understand football a little bit more than you probably would coming from college into the NFL, but I’m really excited to just attack it and get ready for it when an opportunity presents itself.”