GIANTS RB SAQUON BARKLEY

Information for this report was obtained from NFL scouts.

Rookie Saquon Barkley (6 feet, 233 pounds) was drafted second by the Giants, becoming the highest-drafted running back since the Saints selected Reggie Bush in the same slot in 2006. He has lived up to the draft status, scoring five touchdowns (three rushing, two receiving) in the last two weeks. Barkley is fourth in the NFL with 829 rushing yards and ranks third with 242 touches. He has 71 receptions (tied with Christian McCaffrey for most by a back) for 581 yards and four touchdowns.

“What he’s improved on compared to college and even at the start of the season is he’s hitting the hole much harder now on inside runs,” a scout said.

“He’s 6 foot, 233 pounds and he runs a low 4.4 40 — he’s an extremely explosive athlete, versatile athlete and he wants to be in space. Early this season, he would try to bounce the ball outside a lot. Now you’re seeing him take inside zone or an inside power play and he’s hitting it in between the tackles. The special thing about it is on top of that, he still has the home-run ability and the versatility to catch the ball out of the backfield.”