Philadelphia Eagles DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

The Philadelphia Eagles and Houston Texans are both interested in signing free-agent running back Saquon Barkley, according to SNY's Connor Hughes. The New York Giants are also interested in keeping Barkley around, but he may be plucked away by another team. Although the former first-rounder has a lengthy injury history, he's viewed as the best option in a top-heavy free-agent running back market this offseason. The 27-year-old two-time Pro Bowler took a step back in 2023, although he didn't have much of a chance with quarterback Daniel Jones (knee) hurt while running behind an atrocious offensive line. Barkley finished with 962 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 247 carries while adding 41 catches for 280 yards and four more TDs in 14 games. Regardless of where Barkley is playing in 2024, he'll be a risk/reward RB1 for fantasy managers.

Impending Free-agent running back Saquon Barkley already has several teams interested in signing him. However, most interestingly, the Eagles have emerged as a franchise to watch. The 27-year-old has spent the last six seasons in New York since being taken No. 2 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. He's had some dominant fantasy seasons, although he was most productive as a rookie. But he's also battled more than his share of injuries over the years, a source of fantasy managers' frequent frustration. Barkley didn't have a horrible year in 2023-24, totaling 10 touchdowns while falling 38 rushing yards short of 1,000. Yet, he missed three more games. Nonetheless, it's worth noting that teams like the Cowboys and Ravens are a few other teams rumored to be in the running to get Barkley to sign on the dotted line. There's also a chance he remains with the Giants. The Eagles also haven't prioritized the running back position, so any potential deal could fall through before it has a chance to start. At any rate, the former Nittany Lion has the talent, but his fantasy outlook primarily hinges on whether he can remain healthy.

The New York Giants are not using the franchise tag on impending free-agent running back Saquon Barkley again, according to a source. It means that Barkley will hit the open market next week and will be one of the top free agents in a very good running back class this offseason. The franchise tag for the second straight year on Barkley would have cost the Giants $12.1 million in 2024. The 27-year-old probably won't reach that mark in free agency, but he could come close. The former first-rounder (second overall) in 2018 out of Penn State missed three more games due to injury in 2023 and really didn't have much of a chance behind an atrocious offensive line in New York, finishing with 962 rushing yards and six TDs on 247 carries, adding 41 catches for 280 yards and four more scores. Barkley's 2024 fantasy value will be more clear once we know where he's playing, but as of right now he projects to be a risk/reward low-end RB1.

During an NFL combine medical evaluation, doctors found that Texas A&M wide receiver Ainias Smith (shin) has a stress fracture in his left shin, according to sources. Smith won't work out at the combine in Indianapolis this weekend and will visit with a specialist next week. The 22-year-old wideout's after-the-catch abilities make him an intriguing prospect at the NFL level, but unfortunately, this injury will cause his draft stock to fall ahead of April's draft. In addition to the stress fracture that was discovered this week, Ainias fractured his leg in 2022. With a new leg fracture to consider, Smith has quickly become a pretty big injury risk for the upcoming NFL draft.

Green Bay Packers running back AJ Dillon might've played his last season with the organization. Dillon is set to become a free agent this offseason and it doesn't sound like the organization is too eager to bring Dillon back next season. The former second-round pick struggled to establish himself during his contract season. Dillon rushed 178 times for 613 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games. Dillon received plenty of chances with fellow back Aaron Jones missing six games. Despite the extra attempts, Dillon averaged a career-low 3.4 yards per carry. He should have plenty of interest as a backup, but Dillon will have a tough time finding himself a lead back role heading into next season.