Saquon Barkley's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & 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.

The New York Giants and impending free-agent running back Saquon Barkley's representatives had a "good (initial) meeting" on Wednesday at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, according to a source. The Giants are reportedly open to multiple options, including memorializing Barkley's legacy as a Giants, pending an agreement on mutual terms. The 27-year-old is unlikely to receive the franchise tag for the second straight year, although the G-Men aren't ruling it out. If it makes sense financially for both sides, a long-term extension makes the most sense, but the Giants will be way given Barkley's long injury history. Wherever he lands in 2024, Barkley will be a risk/reward RB1 for fantasy managers after he missed three more games with injury in 2023 and finished under 1,000 yards rushing for the third time in his six NFL seasons.

New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen isn't ruling out using the franchise tag on impending free-agent running back Saquon Barkley, even though it was reported on Monday that they were unlikely to use it on him. "The franchise tag is not off the table. He wants a fair deal and I appreciate that," Schoen said. Using the franchise tag on the 27-year-old RB would cost the G-Men around $12.1 million in 2024, and it would be the second straight year they would have used the tag on him. Even after missing more time due to injury in 2023, Barkley would be a hot commodity at the position this offseason if he doesn't end up re-signing in New York. The two-time Pro Bowler averaged 3.9 yards per carry on 247 attempts for 962 rushing yards and six TDs in 14 games in 2023. No matter where he lands, the oft-injured RB will be a risk/reward RB1 for fantasy managers.